NO WATER FOR A DAY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30126, 9 May 1963, Page 17

NO WATER FOR A DAY

Supply Failed At Greymouth

After a day without water, Greymouth's water supply was restored to residents a little before 6 pm. last night with the aid of local and Lyttelton Harbour Board divers.

Residents yesterday received their supplies from water-carrying trucks which went to homes and businesses, and the War Memorial Swimming Baths were throws open, giving the public access to 100,000 gallons of chlorinated water. The fault in the supply occurred on Tuesday night when a butterfly wing in the automatic foot valve at the bottom of the town water works’ 24ft-deep suction well at the Grey river jammed in the open position. This resulted in water draining back out of the inlet pipe to the pumps. The water in this pipe is required to prime the two pumps and as a result they could not be operated. Two local skin-divers, Messrs C. Dalziel and D. Bruerton, were able to remove the faulty valve from the cold, murky water of the suction wells and the Lyttelton divers helped with the replacement later in the afternoon, after repairs Had been effected.

When the pumps began operating again last evening, consumers were requested to turn off all non-essential taps for a period to allow pressure to build up particularly in hill areas of the borough.

As a safeguard against possible contamination in the mains caused by the cut borough consumers were also advised to boil all water for drinking purposes for 24 hours.

All schools in Greymouth closed down at noon. The closu order came after consultation between headmasters, who made the decision because of sanitary considerations.