Rakaia irrigation

Press, 17 April 1982, Page 14

Rakaia irrigation

Sir.—The drought this year and the dry years of the late 1960 s and early 1970 s made many wells go dry. Any thinking person must realise that the underground water supply is not unlimited. Overseas experience has shown that overuse of underground water can cause an influx of seawater at low levels. This could conceivably contaminate Christchurch's water supply. L. Davis and the powers that be will have to make up their minds about irrigation. In my opinion there is no other alternative but controlled use of the Rakaia River if we are to boost our farm exports, which the experts claim is the most likely way of helping our sick economy. Finally, I write as a farmer who is sick of others using this column to slate my occupation without giving their own occupation.— Yours, etc., H. J. BRITTAN. April 13, 1982.

Sir,—ln his letter of April 15, D. G. Watson claimed that the taking of 70 cumecs of water from the Rakaia River “will not destroy the river.” On March 25, 1981, 100 cumecs of water were recorded at Fight-

ing Hill (above the Rakaia Gorge); on April s.the recorded volume was 102.9 cumecs. How can the present 10 cumec abstraction,- the proposed South Rakaia Irrigation Plan for 20 cumecs, and Mr Watson’s proposed 70 cumecs, leave any water in the river during “the irrigation season"? — Yours, etc., B. H. WYNNWILLIAMS. President. Rakaia RiverAssociation. April 16. 1982.