Objections Over Water Use Plans

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 14

Objections Over Water Use Plans

On the grounds that wastage and pollution could occur, the Waimairi County Council last evening confirmed action taken by its works committee in lodging objections with the North Canterbury Catchment Board against proposals to take and discharge natural water for heating or cooling in four large buildings.

The board told the council that applications had been received for the taking and discharge of underground water for heating and/or cooling from the following:— Millers, Ltd, for their proposed new factory at Wairakei Road, to take 120.000 gallons a day from a well 90ft to 120 ft deep, and to discharge the same amount

either to a well 90ft to 100 ft deep, or into a stormwater drain discharging into the Wairarapa Stream at a minimum temperature of 40 degrees, or a maximum of 70 degrees. The Christchurch City Council, in respect of the Town Hall site, to take 360,000 gallons a day from a well 90ft to 130 ft deep, or the same amount from the Avon, discharging 360,000 gallons a day into a 30ft to 40ft well, back into a stormwater drain and thence to the river, or direct into the river. The temperature range was 40 degrees to 90 degrees. The Canterbury Building Society, in respect of its proposed building at the corner of Cashel and Manchester Streets, to take 144.000 gallons a day from a well 165 ft deep, discharging into a 95ft well.

J. Ballantyne and Company, Ltd, for its Cashel Street premises, to discharge 170,000 gallons a day, rising to 300,000 gallons a day down wells to 90ft deep. The works committee said that the council’s waterworks engineer (Mr R. E. Young) had estimated that the four applications involved the use of water equivalent to 7 per cent of the county’s daily usage, and in the winter, the draw-off could be as high as 44 per cent

Wastage Worry Cr G. G. Don said he was concerned about the possible wastage, and, as this type of plant was becoming more popular, about the long-term implications.

the staff was seeking more information on cooling towers, said the County Engineer (Mr A. J. W. Lamb). The council could object on two grounds, the wastage of water, and possible pollution: but not enough was known about the underground water to give assurances about possible effects.

Cr A. A. Adcock said that the whole community should appreciate that anti-pollution and anti-waste measures would cost money, but costs alone should not determine decisions.

Cr I. Calvert said that the cost of rectifying mistakes would be much higher than the cost of providing adequate safeguards Objections Confirmed

The works committee reported that it had objected to the applications of Millers. Ltd, the City Council and the Canterbury Building Society, where the closing date for objections was July 14, and this was confirmed, the council itself deciding to object to the application of J. Ballantyne and Company, for which objections close on July 20.

In the case of the objection relating to the city council, the committee decided to append a note saying that the [council would support the taking and discharge to the ■ Avon, if it could be shown !that this would not encour- ; age weed growth, or be harmful to fish and other forms of I wild-life.