Waimairi Water Supply Problems

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31967, 19 April 1969, Page 20

Waimairi Water Supply Problems

The capacity of the Waimairi water supply was adequate but left no room for complacency if hosing restrictions were not to be required, the Waimairi County Council was told in a report from the waterworks engineer (Mr R. E. Young). The last report on pumping rapacity was made in March. "361. and covered the capacity needed up to 1976. This report forecast a peak demand of 19,000 gallons a minute in 1976. and the present installed capacity was 15,250 g.p.m., the report said. But the 1976 requirements were now assessed at 21,500 g.p.m. and the necessary growth rate of pumping capacity was expected to be about 1000 g.p.m. a year, doubling the capacity in the next 15 years. Since 1961 Improvements had raised the water pressure so that in general it did not now drop below 401 b per sq in., and was usually more than 501 b. However, galvanised service pipes were now becoming significant, and the supply from rider mains in some areas was marginal. Pipes now being installed had a maximum recommended working pressure of 1301 b per sq. in. so that when the older piping had been -re-1 placed a greater pressure: could be used. The report recommended that the pumping capacity of the county system should be: Increased at the rate of 1000 gpm. and that the present

e system of subsidiary mains „ should be improved. 1 It said the present reticu- ® latlon had a replacement f value of about $1,440,000, g comprising asbestos cement . mains worth $817,500. subc sidlary mains worth $272,500. * and connections worth t $350,000. s To replace the subsidiary mains with an improved sys•tem would cost about 8650.000. Replacement of the existI Ing pumps with pumps work- . ing at 1001 b per sq. in. would .. cost $48,200. plus mains re- . i placement at a cost of about ■5900,000. This would be done at the ’ end of the useful life of the I present mains. Running costs J would increase by $16,000 a year. j. The works and reserves ■J ’committee reported that the ■ county chairman (Mr D. B. ’<Rich) said that the replace- ' ment of water pipes in the ; road was not the full solution ' j to low-pressure problems, and ■ pipes within properties could •also be faulty. j’ In reply to a question on ' water treatment Cr I. Cal- , vert said that sodium hydrox- ’ ide had been added to the ' water supply with the full ’knowledge and approval of ’’the Medical Officer of Health (Dr L. F. Jepson). I Building Permit*.—During • March 170 building permits 1 worth $622,073 were issued. : compared with 139 worth $379,012 in March last year. ' The average cost of dwellings per sq. ft was $6.76 compared with $6.18 last year. During the financial year 517 permits: were issued for new dwellings worth $4,316,609. and 44 were issued for flats worth $557,791.

s Altogether 1683 permits worth $8,411,452 (1719 worth i- $5,691,186 in 1967-68) were t issued, and the average value l, a dwelling was $8349 ($7825). 4 Bicycle Thefts.—A letter h from the Christchurch Crim- '■ inal Investigation Branch said 5 the branch shared the council's concern at the prevalence f of interference with cycles at ’ the Jellie Park lido pool. It 1 would help if some security for cycles at the pool could ' be provided. The county en- ■ gineer (Mr A. J. W. Lamb) ■ reported that it would be very; ■ expensive to provide a super-; I vised enclosure, and the main remedy was the locking of, 5 cycles by their owners. ; New Wicket.—The Belfast' II Cricket Club asked for a; pitch to be provided at Shel-■ s don Park. The cost would be I > about SBOO. It was decided, . to refer the matter to the’ . May meeting of the works and ; reserves committee. ! Library Report.—The lib-1 rarian (Mrs T. McArtney'i re-’ ■'commended that a junior as-' ■ sistant be obtained for the. 1 Redwood Library, and that it I * be open from 10 a.m. to 8 ’ p.m., Monday to Thursday and ■ to 9 p.m. on Fridays. Ground Fees.—The fee fori i the casual use of sports fields, would be increased from $4.20 1 to $5. the council decided on ’ the recommendation of the ’ finance, traffic and by-laws ■ I committee. House Lease.—The council; i agreed to lease a house ini I Bishopdale Park to the ; Bishopdale Women's Activity, : Group at SI a month. A letter i from Mr H. J. Walker. M.P.. 1 said that the group had 400 members, and the vacant

house in Leacroft Street I would provide it with suitable accommodation. Bus Stop.—The length of 'the bus stop in Creyke Road • would be extended by eight yards, the council decided. The senior traffic officer re* ■ commended this after a letter ; appeared in the corresponi dence column of "The Press," complaining of a posible hazard. Speed Zones.—The Ministry of Transport should be asked to report to the May meeting of the finance, traffic and bylaws committee on the subject of converting limited speed zones in the county to 40 m.p.h. areas, the council decided.