PATEA OUT OF WATER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 15

PATEA OUT OF WATER

Supply Used By Gardeners fN2. Pre»s Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 23. The borough of Patea was without water tonight after residents had watered their gardens to such an extent that they drained the town supply dry. From 9 p.m. not a drop of water passed through the main supply pipes. Residents were not to know they were draining the supply, for they were complying With a council ruling that the watering of gardens was permitted for two hours each morning and evening. The ruling was enforced several weeks ago. but today councillors became aware that the supply was dropping and they decided to restrict hosing to two hours each morning.

The decision was reached too late for advertisements to be inserted in newspapers, and as a result consumers continued to water their gardens tonight. The Town Clerk (Mr R. A. Braithwaite) spent several hours during the evening informing garden lovers of the new restriction, but he was too late, and the damage was done.

At 9 p.m. the water tower was empty. All mains were cut off the supply and the borough’s two pumps worked at capacity to pump water into the tower.

By closing off the whole supply, council officials could ensure the town of a meagre supply of water for tomorrow.