WATER SHORTAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 2

WATER SHORTAGE

HOSE RESTRICTIONS RATIONING ANNOUNCED FIRE PRESSURE NEEDED For the first time in many years, the Gisborne Borough Council has had to adopt restrictions in the use of hoses before the end of October. In an advertisement published in this issue, the council announces the rationing of water through gardenhoses. The system of regulation will be the same as that adopted last year in the early summer months, the town being divided into three section:; and each section being permitted to use garden-hoses during one hour of the day only. The town and Te llapara area will have the use of hoses from 5 p.m. to G p.m,, Whataupoko from G p.m. to 7 p.m., and Kaiti from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The restriction has been forced upon the council by the excessive draw-off from the mains during the past week. Town residents living on the higher levels are now unable to get water for domestic purposes even at night, this fact indicating that many people are permitting their hoses to run throughout the night.

A shrinkage of the supply at the headworks of the supply system has been noted during the past fortnight, and arrangements are being made to put the pumping plant in the Mangapoike Valley into full working order, as a orecaution against an emergency. The 'intake at Waingake is sufficient, at present, t.o maintain a good supplv in town if the use of garden-hoses is restricted, but it may not be long before the restrictions will have to be increased.

The importance of maintaining a fire-fighting pressure in the mains will be generally appreciated. During the week-end the pressure fell to an alarming degree, nnu the council has been advised by the fire brigade superintendent, Mr. J. W. Kane that efficient fighting of fires cannot be assured if the pressure in the mains is not restored to some degree. Rainfall in the catchment area of the water supply has been well below the average over the past three months, and unless a substantial fall of rain is exoerienced in the next fortnight or three weeks the town will faco serious water difficulties during the coming summer months.