MAJOR WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 141, 11 March 1938, Page 8

MAJOR WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

Wellington City And Surrounding Area PAST PROPOSAL THAT WAS DROPPED The passage of time counts for much in the history of a city’s essential services. Up till some 10 years ago the sewerage system of Wellington was considered fairly adequate for the city s needs, though even then there was a feeling that the time was drawing near when the system would have to be overhauled and extended. -That period has arrived, and the Wellington City Council under the advice of its engineers, has embarked on a scheme, the first section of which is likely to cost not far short of £250,000. It is much the same with Wellington’s water supply. During the war period it became evident that the Wainui stream, which had served the «r.y for half a century, was becoming insufficient tor the growing needs of a Wellington which had assumed jurisdiction over a much larger area of settled territory by taking in the Melrose, Karori, Onslow, and Miramar boroughs. When Sir John Luke was mayor of Wellington a particularly dry summer emphasised the need of a better water supply. The first thought was the construction of another and larger dam across the valley below the old Wainui dam, taking in a large tract of conntry and including the present road to Wainui. Tests for a foundation were made in the valley but no solid bottom could be discovered on or near the site of the proposed dam. Then, as the need became imperative, steps were taken to obtain an additional water supply by tapping the Orongorongo stream, and in 1920 a loan, of £561,943 was raised for the purpose of piercing a tunnel two miles in length through the Orongorongo range in order to bring a pipe line from an intake bn that stream into the city. That work was begun in October, 1921, and the headworks met on February 23, 1924. The laying of the pipes was not completed until November, 1926, and the new water began to come through to the Karori reservoir on December 23, 1926. The tunnel was constructed by co-operative workers under the leadership of Mr. (now the Hon.) Robert Semple. But though this water proved of value as an additional supply, it was realised that during a long dry spell the Orongorongo stream was just as likely to “run light” as the TV ainui. That being so, the attention of the engineers was diverted to seeking water from other than the Wainui-Orongo-rongo district. Explorations resulted in the decision that the most serviceable and dependable watershed was that traversed by the Akatarawa, Whakitiki, and Pukeratahi streams, which meet and form the Hutt River, not far north of Upper Hutt. Under the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Act, 1927, an area of approximately 67,000 acres in the Akatarawa, Paekakariki, and Rimutaka Survey Districts, being the watershed of the Akatarawa, Whakitiki. Hutt and Pukeratahi rivers, was vested in the Wellington City Corporation “for water works and forestry purposes for the benefits of the inhabitants of the city of Wellington, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, Petone, Upper Hutt and portion of Hutt County.” In short, this bountiful supply was to be harnessed to supply the needs of man throughout the greater Wellington area. Subsequently a report was prepared under the direction of the then city engineer, Dlr. G. A. Hart, and was submitted, with estimates of cost, to the Wellington City and Suburban Water Board. Naturally the cost was heavy. When the allocation of the annual cost as between the contributing local bodies was made out, doubt entered the minds of the representatives of two of the largest boroughs, Lower Hutt and Petone, which boroughs withdrew from the board. That was eight years ago, and as the scheme depended upon complete co-operation of all parties, what was known as the “major scheme” was dropped. Lower Hutt and Petone felt they could manage more economically on artesian water.

Wellington city had then to see about a supplementary supply, and it took a leaf out of the borough's book by obtaining power to tap the artesian supply at Gear Island, Lower Hutt, and purchasing plant for diverting water into the city mains, which pass Over Gear Island.

In view of the demand for water from Plimmerton, Tawa Flat, the eastern bays, and Upper Hutt, it' is now possible, following the decision of the water board to ask for a furtherjeport, that the major scheme may come into its own. The former report is still available, and will 'dpubtless be of assistance to tlie city engineer, Mr. K. E. Luke, and the town clerk, Mr. E. P. Norman, in bringing down a report on the provision of a comprehensive water supply for the wide district mentioned