AUCKLAND'S WATER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1927, Page 10

AUCKLAND'S WATER

ADEQUACY OF SUPPLY

ROYAL COMMISSION WAIKATO AND TAUPO SCHEMES In accordance with a recommendation by the Board of Health some time ago, and a Ministerial i statement in the House of Representatives last session, the Government has set up a Commission to inquire into the necessity or expediency of supplementing the Auckland metropolitan water supply system, particularly a proposed scheme for securing water from the Waikato River or Lake Taupo. The personnel of the Commission was announced to-day by the Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young), as follows: —Messrs. A. W. Blair, solicitor (Wellington), chairman; A. J. Baker, Public Works Engineer (Wellington); and A. D. Dobson, civil engineer (Christehurch). The Commission is instructed to inquire and report as to the adequacy of the sources of the existing public water supplies of Auckland City, the boroughs of Birkenhead, Northcote, Takapuna, Devonport, Avondale, Newmarket, Mount Eden, Mount Alßert, Onehunga, Otahuhu, the town districts of New Lynn and Ellerslie, and such areas in the vicinity of the city not included in these districts as are how, or will probably become within the next forty yars, so closely populated as to require a public water supply. Allowance is to be made, for probable increase in the population of the areas concerned during the next 40 years. Should it be considered that the sources of supply are, or will be, inadequate for requirements, the Commiwssion is asked to determine whether they should be augmented or replaced by any one or more of the following means: (1) Extension of the existing catchment areas; (2) extension pf existing waterworks other can catchment areas; (3) adoption of new sources of supply; (4) in particular the obtaining of a supply from the Waikato River or Lake Taupo. If it is considered that the present sources do not provide safe and portable water, then the Commissioners are required to determine what means should be taken to render it so. Another clause in the order of reference asks for inquiry as to whether the methods of distribution to consumers are satisfactory, and if not, what is the most desirable and suitable constitutional means of control and management of distribution and of any methods of distribution that may be considered necessary Jor future requirements within the next 40 years Generally, the Commission is to report upon the. hygienic, and economic adequacy and efficiency of the public water supplies in respect of collection and storage of water, purification, and distribution of water to consumers, and such other matters arising out of its inquiries as may come under its notice. , .

i ,Th<lu report is t0 be furnished not ater than 30th April. The Commission is authorised to call witnesses and examme such books and papers and documents as it deems likely to afford fullest information. As to the coct of the inquiry the Commission is to deter" mine what portion should be borne by the respective local bodies concerned.