CITY’S SUPPLY OF WATER

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 10

CITY’S SUPPLY OF WATER

RECORD CONSUMPTION IN 1939 PEAK OF 6.179,200 GALLONS A DAY The city’s consumption of water in 1939 reached a figure which easily constituted a record. In 1938 it took 1.478.888.000 gallons of water to satisfy the needs of homes and gardens, as well as drainage and sewerage demands. But in 1939 the figure rose to 1,538,462,500 gallons. This represented an increase of 59,574,500 gallons on the total demand of 1938. That demand itself showed an increase oh 1937 of 112,818,000 gallons. The figures over 10-year periods show how the water consumption of the city has grown. In 1913 the q- antity of water pumped at all stations under high pressure was 456.309.000 gallons; in 1919 the figure had risen to 629,542,000; in 1929 to 1,100,400,000 gallons; and in 1939 to 1,538,462,500 gallons. These figures are revealed in the latest reports of the officers of the Christchurch City Council. It is shown in the report of the city engineer’s department that the average daily consumption per 24 hours in 1939 was 4,214,965; the highest consumption per 24 hours was 6,179.200. The average cost per million gallons overall was £4 10s, and the average cost per 1000 gallons overall was 1.03 d. Overhaul Necessary The city’s water supply installation is in need of considerable overhaul, as indicated in the report, which states: "The increase of approximately 60,000,000 gallons was not as large as that of the previous year, but represents a steady increase directly traceable to. the increased number of water connexions. The condition of the ' headworks is such as to necessitate very detailed investigation and probably subsequent replacements in the near future. The plant at the main pumping station has largely been in use since the inauguration of the city water supply approximately 30 years ago. The standby plant is inadequate, obsolete, and very near the end of its useful life. The reservoir is too small, the suction tank is in a bad condition structurally, and this, also applies to the original pumping station itself, which, with its high brick bearing walls, is nporly constructed to resist earthcmake shock. The possibility of a shortage of electrical power and the desirability of not pumping during electrical power peaks should to a certain extent accelerate the programme of replacements.”