NEW WATER MAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 124, 21 November 1935, Page 10

NEW WATER MAIN

CITY SUPPLY SAFER An important undertaking, recently completed by the City Council, is the laying of an 18-inch diameter steel and concrete-lined trunk-feeding main from the Karori reservoir across the head of the Te Aro Flat area. It is now possible to supply the city for a short period entirely with water from the Karori reservoirs. The value of (liis main is apparent, since formerly in the event of a serious washout or other form of dislocation of the Wainui supply, the limited supply at a lower pressure would have been of doubtful value in the higher areas from the point of view of sanitary requirements, and of more than doubtful value as a protection against fire in the same areas.

An interesting feature on the main is the break pressure tank with its large streamlined ball valves which automatically reduce the pressui'e at which the Karori water reaches reticulation mains in the city. The valves are streamlined, each discharging a six-inch jet of water at high velocity vertically downwards and giving an impressive display of the power of water under pressure. Altogether this work, in conjunction with the addition of the artesian supply now well on towards completion, and the recent construction of the new service reservoirs at Wadeslown. Karori. Brooklyn, and Seatoun Heights, has added very much to the strength and efficiency of the city's water supply, besides rendering possible cei-tain desirable improvements to the existing Wainui mains and hcadworks.