WATER FROM TAUPO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 April 1926, Page 8

WATER FROM TAUPO.

FOB COUNTRY AND TOWNS. PROPOSED SUPPLY OF 16,000,000 GALLONS DAILY. When tlie Bill which has been arawn up and which is to be presented to Parliament at its next .sitting receives the necessary sanction, then there is every likelihood that, in ‘.he very mar future preparations wip, be set in swing for the tapping of Lake Taupe and the supplying of the whole of those areas from Cambridge to Auckland (but not including the city), together with the northern boroughs and part of the Waivemata County, with a sufficient supply of fresh water to meet :equirements for all time (says the Star). The scheme to ta.p Lake Taupo is the result of a conference of representatives of local bodies held in Auckland in August two years ago, at which conference a resohition was passed that steps he taken to form '.a water brand on lines similar to the Electric Power Boardj It was at this meeting that Mr E. H. Potter (Mayor of Mount Eden) brought forward what is now known .as the Taupo. scheme. It was also decided that the. time was opportune to obtain a comprehensive report on the scheme, and subsequently two engineers (Messrs J. Rogers, C.E., and \Y. A. Gray, A.M.LC.E.) were appoint.d to furnish a report. This they did, estimating the cost of carrying out tlie scheme ad £2,482,000. pointing out that the interest and sinking fund oii this amount would be met by the sale of 8,000.000 gallons daily, which left ample margin to meet any increased demand which a growing population might .necessitate, while with t>he in-' creased demand the charge pea- 1000 gallons would be reduced proportionately.

Supporters of the scheme point out that the population in the outer area® is growing and spreading in all directions, and that a permanent and sufficient supply of good water is a: prime necessity. Also important is the pressure, which is sadly lacking in many areas at present, and whicli is essential for the successful fighting of fires. Again, a plentiful supply of water would considerably benefit the .farmers. The present water board is merely tentative, but if Parliament sanctions the formation of a water board a.s set out ill the Bill to be laid before the House, then the board will have power with the sanction of the ratepayers to raise the money necessary for carrying out the Taupo scheme as already reported upon, or any amended or 'other scheme as the hoard may decide.

In those areas which have, agreed to support the Ta.upo scheme, there is i population of 85,000, hut the inumber would be increased to over 130,000 before the scheme would be put ns to operation, and even the number - mentioned does not include, outside areas, prominent among which, is expected to be the Hauraki Plains. The possibilities of an emergency supply being required at any tim, e have also been, considered. and the engineers’ report ,ha.s shown how supplies may be oobfaineid either from fh? Mnnga.kino - River or from the Waikato River at the Arapuni dam. the former being purely a gravitational supply, while the latter entails some pumping. ' However, it is mentioned that it would be possible to instal pumping plant on the Lower Waikato and deliver water as soon as the pipe-1 was constructed to that point. Tin’s' supply is not likely to be required, but can be tapped, if necessary. Estimates have been prepared for a supply of 3,000,000 gallons a day. and this could: be increased up to 15,000.000 gallons easily, as the pipeline will form part of the. permanent scheme and will have that, capacity. The policy of the lx>ard if the Bill is oassed will be to pay all charges and. expenses in connection- with the scheme out of revenue from the sale of water, .so that no rate need he collected. In short, the scheme is one which provides for many areas that cannot otherwise obtain water without entering upon capital expenditure of varying amounts tosupply their needs, and to make it possible to give an emergency supply' to those who require it without calling on them to undertake large capital- expenditure on schemes which, it is held. can. have hut a- limited lift, and at the same time the Taupo scheme will enable them to obtain water .at' a smaller cost than they would, pay for a separate, scheme.