WATERMAIN BURSTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 9

WATERMAIN BURSTS

POTENTIAL DANGER TO HASTINGS TOWN SUPPLY NEARLY EXHAUSTED BY TELEGRATH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Napier, January 11. Hastings was put in the position S? considerable potential danger this evening through the bursting of one of the water mains at the borough pumping station. It is expected that the supply will not be fully in commission again till'early to-morrow evening, and in the meantime the reservoir is almost empty.

The break occurred about half-past five, and within an hour the water level dropped two feet. At 8 o’clock there was only three feet of water, and at 10 o’clock 16 inches. The Hastings powerhouse which, as auxiliary, pumps about one sixth of the borough supply, was still kept working, and until a special new pipe is cast it will be the only source from which Hastings can draw its supply, though many residents who have artesian wells will not be affected. In the meantime the position is full of rfbvious danger, for a fire in the town would probably be the cause of drawing off the whole available supply in a few minutes.

During the night the Havelock North plant will be able to pump to make up a little reserve supply, but residents there have been warned to use water with the most stringent economy to-morrow. There will be little available for more than the most meagre necessities, but it is hoped the Napier foundry, which is working all night to cast the new pipe, will have completed its work, so that the full supply will be, available early this evening. That it will be so .is not by any means a certainty.