SERIOUS POSITION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21604, 5 January 1945, Page 2

SERIOUS POSITION

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY

STRICT ECONOMY URGED The serious position of the Gisborne Borough water supply was emphasised This morning by the borough engineer, Mr. G. F. Clapcott, who urged the strictest economy on the part of residents. He pointed out that the inflow .into the Mangapoike and Te Arai streams was not equalling the draw-off, and unless there was rain, the' reserve supply must continue to be reduced. The creeks had been steadily falling, Mr. Clapcott said, and the little rain experienced had not been anything like sufficient. Pumping had been commenced two days ago, but this could not go on continuously as time had to be allowed for the Mangapoike to rise again. A maximum storage of 580,000 gallons at Waingake had been reduced to some 300,000 gallons, and the depletion of this reserve was continuing as the inflow was being exceeded by the draw-off and the supply could not be replenished. “It is imperative that the greatest possible economy should be exercised in the use of all water and that the by-law prohibiting the use of hoses should be strictly observed,” said Mr. Clapcott. He added that only the fullest co-operation of all residents could enable the' maximum possible supply to continue with safety.