FOUL WATER DISCHARGED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 9

FOUL WATER DISCHARGED

Gasometer Springs Leak “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, November 30. When a 33-year-old gasometer belonging to the Hutt Valley Electric Power and Gas Board at Petone sprang a leak about 150,000 gallons of, foul water gushed out and flooded nearby areas. The water, which is believed to have been in the tank for 15 years, set up a terrific smell.

Representatives of the Central Smallbore Rifle Club arriving at their hall to prepare for the club’s annual social and presentation of trophies found their range under water.

The gasometer is sited on the corner of Udy and Bouverie streets and is flanked by the Petone Borough Council property on which the small-bore rifle club’s range is built and which also accommodates the green formely used by the Petone Central Bowling Club and on which there is still a green used by the Petone Central Croquet Club. A council employee said that the water would probably kill the grass and poison the ground for up to five years. The Hutt Valley Electric Power and Gas Board’s engineer, Mr H. A. Flett, does not agree with this. He said the water would contain some sulphur, ammonia and tar. The remainder of the water in the tank would have to be pumped out. Approximately half of the 50,000 cubic feet of gas in the gasometer would be lost in feeding it into another system.