LOWER HUTT WATER SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 17

LOWER HUTT WATER SUPPLY

MAYOR REVIEWS THE POSITION ’ TWO SCHEMES COMPARED A report comparing two schemes for the supply of water for future needs of the Lower Hutt Borough has been prepared by the Mayor of Lower Hutt (air Alexander Roberts). ' Sir Alexander states that the time has come when the council must choose between remaining under the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Board or developing its own artesian scheme If the council decides on the Littci course it should immediately ask to be relieved of further responsibility in regard to the board. At present (states the report) the boi-ou-’h had a scheme which supplied 2uo million gallons per annum, or ample water for a population of 1~,000 people. Io add to that scheme a supply capable ot supplying 20,000 people would mean the sinking of another set ot wells and installing another pumping servoir on the eastern side of the ' a “ e yWhen this was done tbe tota b the borough for a population of -0,000 would be less than £3400 .per annum. This would pay interest, sinking fund, maintenance, and all charges, and give an adequate supply with only (for the purpose of takin„ advant age of specially low rates for electric current), and it was obvious that the same plant could give even a double supply by resorting to day pumping.

The Big Scheme. Referring to the proposed City and Suburban scheme, the Mayor states that the Lower Hutt share in the 10 million gallons per day on a population basis would be only 1.100,000 gallons, which would not be sufficient, as the needs ot the borough would be 1,500,000 gallons; and therefore the borough would have to purchase the balance ot 400,000 gallons at a comparatively high rate, from the surplus supply of one of the other local bodies, or would have to pump, the balance from its own wells. Obviously, it would be cheaper to pump it. The interest and sinking fund on the whole city ■ind suburban scheme would be £4u,000, of which the Lower Hutt borough s proportion would be £4894 per annum, to which would have to be added the cost of pumping the extra 400,000 gallons needed, of £375. The borough would still have to pay interest and sinking fund on its present plant, amounting.to £4-W. In addition, a high pressure mam would have to be provided to carry the water from the western to the eastern side, and a new reservoir would still, tor 1 technical reasons, be necessary on the eastern side. These factors would add £IG 000 to the capital cost of the city and suburban scheme, which would bring the total annual costs of this scheme to £6690 as against £3385 for the development of the council’s own artesian scheme. • It was possible that a portion of the cost of the city and suburban scheme might be saved by an arrangement being made, to tkae water from the Mainui scheme. This saving might amount .to £4OO per annum, but even then the minimum cost would bo £6300, or about £3OOO more than that of the artesian scheme. In conclusion, the Mayor states that there is another way. out,, and that is for the’ borough council to offer to take 1,500.000 gallons a day from the Water Board at a cost-to the borough of £3400. However, he holds out little hope of the board agreeing to that course.