A PRESSING NEED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 9

A PRESSING NEED.

ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY. ALLEVIATION OF CONDITIONS. ’ * PALMERSTON NORTH’S POSITION. Pressing need exists in Palmerston North for tlie alleviation of the conditions which have been created in certain areas by the inadequacy of the water reticulation system, and the stage now appears to have been reached, when the matter can be shelved no longer under the present circumstances. Although the question of adopting loan proposals _ for the carrying out of vital improvements rests on the decision of the ratepayers, it seems evident that the Borough Council should not hesitate any further in again submitting the mattetr for a poll, but should take action in that direction immediately. Is the suffering section of the public prejpared to countenance further delay ? «

DEMAND FOR IMPROVEMENT. Passive opposition may be encountered in some quarters, but the cry for an improved service has been clearly articulated, and apparently it would be trespassing too much on the spirit of toleration to plod on steadily according to the approved programme after the recent revelations at Terrace End and the Hospital. There appears to be only one effective remedy tor the position, and that is to embark on a comprehensive scheme of reticulation, which should be submitted to the ratepayers for their assent. This will probably come willingly now that the increasing gravity of the position is realised. While the matter may be regarded as one of policy which can legitimately be left to ;the incoming council to decide, that will not remove the problem. The ultimate issue is abundantly clear, and although the council previously decided to give effect to a policy of meeting necessary .expenditure out of revenue, this project should no longer be entertained as feasible in view of the urgency now manifest. Numbers of suggestions have been advanced and alternatives discussed for dealing with the position, but they have not gone beyond - the theoretical stage, however much they may be justified. Representations have been made by the Chamber of Commerce and Hospital Board, but nothing practicable has so far been achieved. A CONVINCING ARGUMENT. Convinced of the urgency for affording relief, Mr M. A. Eliott submitted a suggestion for a loan of £36,500 to the council at its last meeting, but only suffered what might be construed as a rebuff, when the resolution lapsed for want of support. An alternative proposal to obtain a report on the question of an artesian water supply was carried by five votes to four, there being a lack of unanimity in that connection.

Complete information was brougnt down by Mr Eliott, who laid bare the position from several points of view and, inter alia, stated: —“The present supply mains are: 9in. main from Linton Road to College Street laid in 1904; 12in. main from Linton Road to College Street laid in 1907. No increase has been made in this portion for over 20 years, during which time the people using the water have grown from ft population of approximately IO,UUO to over 21,000 (21,800). The new connections during tho past five years have averaged over 250 per annum—an annual increase alone of 107,600 gallons per day or nearly 40 million gallons per annum. As the consumption is 86 gallons per head per 24 hours it is simple arithmetic to see that 1,821,500 gallons per day are now required as compared with onrp 870,000 gallons when the mains were laid 22 years ago. No wonder the supply is unequal to the demand. - , FUTILITY OF DELAY. The futility of postponing the problem from time to time must be realised by those who are fully cognisant of the actual position, and the Borough Council is expected to give a lead in the right direction. If it fails to appreciat© the need for that, then those ratepayers who are suffering should take steps to convince the council that the complaints are no idle gesture, though the municipality.must be aware of the position. Adequate and uniformly good supplies of water are .vital to the welfare of the town where all depend on trie efficiency of the pipe-line, and this should receive paramount consideration in the numerous aspects of civic development. Without proper water reticulation, the sanitation system cannot function properly, and in many directions the omission to met the requirements of tho community will be productive of evil consequences. Inis fs no occasion for apathy, but one which should be regarded with perturbation by-all progressive residents. While authentic details of the nj-st schemes to provide this centre with, water are rather remote, it is reasonably certain that the early ’eighties saw the inception of the supply, at a comparatively modest outlay m the light of present-day costs. The gravitation scheme from Tiritea was hrst employed at this period, though even in the early days there were advocates for a water-tower at Terrace End. THE EARLY DEVELOPMENTS.

The full pressure available when the work of installing the first service was completed is understood to have been about 70 or 75 lbs., and, remarkably enough, this compares more than favourably with the present pressure which does not fulfil local requirements. The demands of a progressive community in time found the initial water supply service inadequate, and the council then in office, pursuing a progressive policy, carried out extensions, as circumstances warranted, and several generations in Palmerston North have drawn their water from the lintea, which has been a never-failing source of supply. Before Tiritea water was made the early settlers relied upon wells. The expansion of the town has greatly increased the demands 911 the existing system, and by adhering to the policy outlined for a three years water reticulation programme the council cannot expect to keep pace with present requirements, apart altogether • from the question of making adequate provision for the future. MAINS’ CAPACITY OUTGROWN. Over many-years,, proposals for improvements /to the water supply have come forward periodically, with varying degrees of success,, though on frenuent occasions in the past not a great deal of enthusiasm has been evident. Tn 1923 the borough engineer submitted a comprehensive report on the te “ supply after an examination of U the Tiritea, its right hand branch, the streams draining towards.the east, the Kahuterawa Stream, and the head

waters of the Pohangina River, and he advocated that the resources of the Tiritea Stream should be fully developed before extending operations to additional streams, the latter of which would entail new pipe-lines. The town has outgrown the capacity of the present supply mains, and if the same rate of increase in population is maintained as at present since 1887, the figure should reach 34,000 in 1944, which, after all, is not so far distant. The reticulation of the borough cannot properly cope with the present draw-off, and extensions to the present system, as are being made regularly, induce further pressure reduction, in spite of the fact that the report of the consulting engineers in 1927 stated that a reasonable pressure would be 601bs. per square inch in the residental area and lOOlbs. in the Square. According to recent measurements, the pressure has been far from attaining this standard, particularly on the higher levels. In the same report the catchment area on the head waters of the Tiritea Stream was described as sufficient to meet requirements for many years to come if “adequate storage was provided.” Milson Settlement has increased demands considerably and a good supply of water is essential to encourage the establishment of industries in Palmerston North.

The present unenviable position is attributable solely to the supply mains from Tiritea which have been in use for many years, and are not of sufficient size to serve the requirements of the town during the periods of maximum draw-off. The remedy is therefore obvious. The imposition of restrictions at times of stress does not relieve the general position, but merely emphasises the town’s deficiency so far as water is concerned. A RECURRING QUESTION.

Until the problem wliieli confronts the municipality is definitely solved, it promises to recur with monotonous regularity. Tile history ot past loan proposals indicates an obvious reluctance on the part ot ratepayers to approve of the schemes suumitted, even although, dissatisfaction with the existing system ot reticulation has been general. Periodically, during the past decade, the matter nas been revived whenever the position lias reached a climax, and has ueen regarded as approaching an intolerable stage, but tlie anomaly arises in the fact that proposals for the improvement of the water supply have been rejected en three consecutive occasions in a little over four years. The question has been shelved, apparently, because of the appearance oi some last-minute oogey, and it has become questionable what is the real attitude of the public. Perhups, however, the culpability cannot be attributed to that section of the community which disapproved of the schemes, but rather to the method of submitting the proposals. Have the ratepayers ever been given a proper opportunity of viewing the water question impartially, and without the shadow of an impending sewerage loan cast across their line oi vision > The last three loan proposals for water improvements have all been rejected, but it is a moot point whether this can be accepted as indicative of the general attitude when the actual circumstances are revealed.

On November 12, 1924, a proposal to extend the sewerage system and erect a pumping station at a cost of £17,000 was lost by 628 votes to 710, and on the same day tho ratepayers rejected a proposal to lay a 2i inch water main in the Square. Water and sewerage loan proposals next came before the ratepayers on. June 26, 1925, when polls were taken on the matter of extending the sewerage system and erecting pumps at a cost of £17,000, in addition to spending £23,500 on laying a 21 inch main in the Square, and £IO,OOO for the erection of tlie weir at Tiritea. All the proposals were rejected. In December, 1926, the ratepayers were asked to consider alternative sewer extension schemes, and expressed their disapproval of both in no uncertain manner.

However, the public had been wooed successfully so far as sewerage was concerned and, in February, 1928, the scheme came to some measure of fruition, though in a modified form. On this occasion the loan proposals involved a total expenditure of £55,700, mainly for an improved water supply, and also £16,000 for sewerage extensions. The . latter proposal was endorsed by a considerable majority, but the narrow margin of seven votes finally decided the fate of the water improvements, and the proposals in that connection went the same way as the preceding ones. THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION. There are some logical deductions to be drawn from the action of the ratepayers in the last instance, and the most conclusive indication is that it was suicidal to the success of the water loan to submit the issue at the same time as that for sewerage. Furthermore, it was obvious that the ratepayers were showing much less readiness to defer the question, and the (sewerage scheme proved to be the “skeleton in the cupboard.” This was. disposed of effectively, but apparently at the sacrifice of the major proposals for the water supply. The history of these recent proposals points to the fact that, whenever water reticulation has come up for consideration, sewerage has loomed large on the local horizon, but the water proposals have now apparently been freed from this incubus, the burden of which weighed heavily against their success. The rejection at the last council meeting of a proposal for an immediate loan to alleviate conditions implies the acceptance by the Borough Council of a grave responsibility to the com Unity, for that is the only interpretation which can be placed upon its action in allowing Councillor Eliott’s motion

to lapse without a seconder. Although it is unusual to find the municipality dissociating itself from any movement consistent with its progressive policy, in this instance it appears that it can be justly impugned with a lack of foresight in indicating its definite opposition to tlie scheme brought forward. The circumstances obviously require to be investigated boldy, if posterity is not to pass censure on the council for unwarranted delay in dealing with the question, which admittedly is a very serious one, and the position is accentuated with every delay.

For many residents in certain areas, the postion has become intolerable, and they are rightly asking what action the council contemplates to adjust tlieir grievance. _lf there exists a selfish element which views tlie matter in a parochial spirit, it is hoped that it will ■extend its sphere of vision, and not fail to acquaint itself _ with the civic disabilities under which others are labouring. The united efforts of the whole community are wanted to bring about a change, .and those residents who have hitherto adopted an attitude of indifference should bestir themselves from their lethargy to assist their unfortunate neighbours in obtaining tho objective sought—an adequate water service—for what is now a trouble which has manifested itself only in portions of the borough will in time become a general complaint, if the roots it has established are allowed to flourish and spread, choking the growth of the town. FUNCTION TO PERFORM.

The Borough Council not only has a function to perform in this instance, but an obligation to fulfil, and it will be neglecting its duty if it allows the persistent cries of the section who 'are suffering to pass unheeded. Quick and firm action is necessary, and if another water loan proposal is submitted to the ratepayers without any attachments in the nature of other schemes, it seems certain that it wjll be endorsed in such a manner as will effectively dispose of all doubts entertained concerning the ratepayers’ frame of mind. Let the Borough Council overcome its reluctance to test local feeling and the result is assured. The suggestion made has been advanced in the nature, of constructive criticism, with the primary motive of acquainting ratepayers with the position as it appears to exist.