THE CITY'S WATER SUPPLY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15714, 6 September 1911, Page 10

THE CITY'S WATER SUPPLY.

DANGERS OF SINGLE MAIN SYSTEM.

RISK IN CASE OF FIRE. An incident occurred in connection with the fire at Messrs Moffat and Son's flourmill at Addington last night which emphasised the contention which has been frequently made, that the connection of the water system and the reservoir by a single main considerably impairs the protection offered by the system against fire losses. Representations have been frequently made on this matter by Superintendent Erck, the present head of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, but the'City Council has shown itself loth to go to tho expense of laying down an additional main.

The case against tho single-main system is that when repairs aro necessary to the main the lvhole supply has to be shut off, and considerable delay would have to take place beforo connection could bo made if the water was needed for fire extinguishing purposes Last evening the Council's officers informed tho lire Bngado that it was intended to cut off tho water at midnight. Luckily the alarm of a fire at the flourmill was given at 11 24 p ru and the brigade was ablo to communicate with the Council's officers and have tho water kept on. The higlvpressure supp J' proved useful m extinguishing tho fire but had the conflagration occurred hair an hour later verv considerable damage might have beon done. In the case or a big fi ro i n tho i. * of tho city similar to that which somo time ago destroyed manv building ;.-, the High Street block it'i s Sdllm the defection of the water supply would havo beon a very serious thing-indeed.'