UNDERGROUND WATER

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 14

UNDERGROUND WATER

PROPOSED AUTHORITY IN CHRISTCHURCH SCIENTIFIC REPORT ASKED FOR There was not unanimity yesterday among representatives of local bodies who met to discuss the need for an underground water authority for the Christchurch area, but the meeting agreed that local authorities should discuss the need, that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research should be asked for a full scientific investigation of the supply and contamination of underground water in Christchurch, and that the representatives should meet again. Called by the City Council, the meeting was attended by representatives of other local authorities in the metropolitan area, the North Canterbury Catchment Board, the Christchurch Drainage' Board, the Department of Health, and the Geological Survey. Lyttelton borough drew water from the Christchurch artesian supply, but was not represented, said Mr 'R. Sarjeant (Riccarton borough) when the meeting opened. “Lyttelton is not in the Catchment Board’s area,” said the chairman (Mr J. E. Jones). '

Waimairi county stated that they were not prepared to vote for or against any proposal to establish an authority, as it had not been considered by their council.

Lyttelton Decision A decision of the Underground Water Commission when the Lyttelton Borough Council applied to be created an underground water authority, stated that no necessity existed at present for conserving, protecting the purity of, or replenishing artesian supplies, said Mr F. W. Freeman (Heathcote county}. “Can we agree that there is no need to conserve water?” asked Er Sarjeant. “No, definitely not,” replied the city engineer (Mr E. Somers). "The flow at Cashmere is less now than it was 20 years ago.” Mr Sarjeant: There is no sign of a fall in Riccarton. There is no evidence of depletion in the last 30 years. I think we could quite easily agree that there is no need for an authority. "If the city peoole say there is a reduction in the flow in Cashmere, I cannot see that anyone can contradict it,” said Mr Somers. “We know there is diminution of the flow.” Mr A. H. Jecks, the city waterworks engineer, said no additional wells had been sunk at Cashmere over the last 20 years, but the flow had dropped. If the flow dropped in one locality there was a good chance that it would drop in others in the future, Mr Somers said. ■

There was a difference of opiniqn about the need to conserve underground water, said Professor G. Jobberns (Catchment Boafid), but authoritative scientific information was lacking. The last scientific investigation was made by Professor R. W. Speight in 1911. Several other representatives expressed the view that the artesian supply was 1 inexhaustible, and Mr J. MacKenzie (Halswell county) then suggested that there might be a need for an authority to control pollution which could also conserve water if and when the need arose.

The Water Pollution Act was passed by the Government at the same time as the Underground Water Act, said Mr Sarjeant, and it dealt with the pollution problem.

The Water Pollution Advisory Council had no powers of enforcement, said Mr W. P. Glue (City Council)? He was concerned about the wells around Christchurch which wasted water through running all the time and created land drainage problems by making the place a quagmire. Need for Records

"We are in abyssmal ignorance of underground water sources,” said Mr B. W. Collins, district geologist. One of the main advantages of an authority would be that it could obtain and keep records. It had been proved in other parts of the world ’ that what xyere thought to be inexhaustible supplies of underground water could be affected to ah extent that could not be remedied. Christchurch, because of its closeness to the sea and height above sea level was in a vulnerable position, as it might be possible to draw in sea water to the artesian supplies. He did nojt think pollution in Christchurch was a serious problem. The water was safe hygienically, although it might be contaminated chemically.

On the evidence he had there was no evidence of contaminat’on of existing supplies, said the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. D. P. Kennedy). Christchurch was extending to the west and there was no doubt that industry to the west might create two problems, said Mr E. F. Scott, the Drainage Board’s engineer. It could have a serious effect on artesian supplies nearer the city, and uncontrolled sinking of wells and the use of water might have a serious effect on the drainage system. The Catchment Board considered that if the metropolitan area was to be administered the City Council should be the authority, said Mr C. Morgan Williams (Catchment Board). If the whole of the artesian area was to be included the board was willing to consider a request that it act as the authority. The meeting agreed, with several dissentients, that it recommend to local bodies the creation of an underground water authority, and that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research be asked ta make an investigation.