CITY WATER SUPPLY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15034, 31 July 1914, Page 8

CITY WATER SUPPLY.

EXPERTS* REPORTS DISCUSSED

PROPOSED EXPENDITURE

DETAILED,

A special meeting of the City Council was held last night to discuss matters connected with tho city water supply. Present—The Mayor (Mr H. Holland), Crs. W. H. Cooper, J. R. Hayward. A. M. Loasby, George Scott, James McOullough, W. Millar, F. Burgoytie, A. S. Taylor, J. Beanland, A. Williams, 11. B Sorensen, and A. Morten. MR CYRUS WILLIAMS'S REPORT. Mr Cyrus J. Williams, M.lnst.C.E., M. Ara.Soc. C.E., reported on eleven matters referred to him. Dealing with tho present state of tho installation, Mr Williams stated that there were l-'8 miles 10 chains of differen sized pipes, aud that the total cost was £160,09{>, ot which* £137,130 was spent in reticulation and mains, service connexions and meters. Replying to the question put to him, Mr Williams reported, as to the advisableness of sinking more wells, that after studying the results from the existing wells, ho was of opinion that tho present area was not by any means exhausted as regards additional hourly or daily supplies, and tnat four additional Bin wells should be sunk in the area at present available. With tho existing wells these would give 3,480,000 gallons per day. Tho question of sinking moro tube wells, or a cylinder well, was one of expense, as the question of supply from this class of well had been proved. The approximate present population of Christchurch and suburbs neir.g 80,W>i a supply was requited for about 05,000 persons, and a further 20,000 within a few years. On a basisof 40 gallons per head per day, 2,600.0u0 gallons daily would bo required ?n the immediate future, and 3,400,000 gallons in the near future. As to an additional reservoir, after setting out his reasons, Air Williams recommended thai any considerable in-? elements to tho reservoir capacity bo at the same elevation as the present reservoir, and that an additional reservoir of about 1,500,000 gallons capacity should bo constructed at an elevation about 250 ft above Cathedral square. So long as tho present pumping station could copo with the demand, it would only add to the expense to-jhstal subsidiary stations.

Regarding tne state of the present refer voir, Mr Williams refers to tho crack in it, and .states that considering the way the wall is constructed there is no danger to bo apprehended by a sudden failure; the worst that could happen would be a slightly increased leakage. As to Mr Dobson's recommendation that tho two 50,000-gallon centrifugal pumps should bo motor-driven, Mr Williams states that any present disabilities are not duo to want of pumping power, but to want of water. The driving of tho pumps by electricity is obvttously the cheapest and simplest means of avoiding the use of the suction gas engine for _ ordinary work. As t> the suitability of spiral pipes for a permanent scheme, Mr Williams states that from every point of viewbut durability thero is no question'of the suitability of these pipes, though as regards the efficiency of external and internal protection * tho final arbiter is experience. As to future probablo extensions for fifteen and thirty years, ho states that tho population of Christchurch and suburbs appears to be increasing at the rate of 2.3 per cent, per annum. The present proposals provide for 40 gallons no/ day for 100,000 persons, and that figure should be reached in about ten years. In view of tho well-established fact that there" is an ample supplyof pure water under all parts of Christchurch, it does not seem urgently necessary to discuss the city's requirements beyond tho ten years mentioned. Mr Williams submitted the following covering prices .for the additions and improvements recommended: — £ Four new Bin wcil ■ nnd connexions.. 500 Thirty-three chains 12in main iromthoPumping branch to Strickland street .. '.. .. 950 Ten chains of 12in main to replace 9in main' from Stirling etreet to Moorhousc avenue .. .. .. 300 new fire plucs in City .. 100 Installing electric drive to present centrifugals, and new 10,000 gallons per hour unit .. .. .. — 1700 New pumping sump and pipe connexion .. .. .. .. 1500 New reservoir to bold 1,500,000 guilona at elevation of 250 feet .. 10,000 New 18in mnin from new reservoir to corner of St. Asaph street and Fitz- • gera'd avenue .. - .. .. GOOO New 15in main alongr Strickland and Jerrold streets to Lincoln rond ~ 4330 New Gin main from corner of Linco'n road and Jerrold street ljp.long Lincoin road to Moorhouse avenue nnd along Moorhouse avenue to your Sin main thero .. .. .. 850

£26,230 MR EDGAR P. TURNER'S REPORT.

Mr Edgar P. Turner reported in considerable detail regarding the pumping works station and dealt exhaustively with a number of mechanical questions. He did not recommend tho electrification of the turbine pumps on account of their evident poor efficiency. Mr Turner also reported on the staffing of the pumping station. With reference to payment for holidays, he stated that the firemen and filler (who come .under the provisions of tho Traction and Stationary Engine-drivers' Award) received more than provided for by the award. On Christmas Day they got 2Ss <3d instead of l9s; Boxing Day 23s Od instead of Os 6d; Now Year's Day and Labour Day 23s 9d instead of 14s 3d; Show Day 23s Dd instead of 9s 6d; Good Friday 2Ss 6d instead of 19s; Haster Monday 23s 9d instead of 14s 3d; and Anniversary Bay 23s 9d instead of 9s 6d. The explanation given was" that as the men wero required to work on these days, they drew ordinary pay in addition to the award rates. [Whilst recognising that the matter was largely a policy one, Mr Turner submitted that it was hardly fair to ratepaying employers that tneir position before the Arbitration Court should be prejudiced by the Council doing much more than was usually done in private employment.

Mr A. Dudley Dobson (City Surveyor) and Mr T. D. Barker (engineer in charge at the pumping station) submitted reports dealing with tho matters referred to in these reports. Mr Dobson's and Mr Barker's reports were not available for publication.