SHORTAGE OF WATER

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 112, 8 April 1930, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF WATER

A SERIOUS POSITIONCONSERVING THE SUPPLY. “That consumers outside the borough be given seven days' notice of the council’s intention to discontinue the supply of the water, with the.'exception of Milson, should the present dry spell continue and no use be made of the artesian water.” Passing this resolution at the meeting held last evening, the Palmerston North Borough Council indicated the serious position whieh had arisen through the shortage of water, and discussed what steps should be taken to alleviate conditions. The council decided further that, in order to conserve the water -supply, residents be notified that hosing of gardens was absolutely prohibited and that legal proceedings would be taken against any person wilfully’ wasting the water or acting contrary to the cou’ncil’s instructions. The resolution originally framed provided for fourteen days' notice and no reference was made to the position of Milson, but Or. Eliott suggested that seven'days’ notice only be given.. Rain seemed to be as far off as ever, he said. It was not unsatisfactory that large consumers outside the borough, despite the fact that almost all their supply was metered, should be able to obtain a good supply of water first every time, while the ratepayers were faced with a shortage. The position was intolerable. Cr. Tremaine said that Milson should not be cut off, as it received its supply after the users within the borough. ■ The Mayor stated that the restriction was not intended to apply to Milson. The terms of the resolution were amended to meet the cases raised. “The position is becoming so serious,” aded the Mayor, “that if this dry spell continues drastic steps will have to be taken. The only way is to introduce the artesian water as a > temporary expedient. The enginer is now making inquiries with the view to securing pumping apparatus to make temporary use of the artesian water as soon as possible.” The borough, engineer stated that the size of pump required was not in stock in the country. He hoped to obtain a pump from the Tawa Flat works or Arapuni. , There was a suitable motor available. It was not practicable, as some people seemed to think, to' turn the flow straight into the mains. The supply from the gasworks was pumped. Cr Mansford said, he understood that a suitable pump was available in the Dominion and the engineer said he would be glad to make inquiries.' 'Cr Clausen said the council should make every effort to avoid cutting off the supply t 6 any consumers. Cr Eliott stated that those concerned had received similar notification last year.

Cr Clausen: What about using the fire engine? It would certainly help in pumping. , The borough engineer: It may be wanted for a fire. “Each of us has his own ideas,” said Cr Guy in urging greater expedition witli measures for relief.

The Mayor: All I can say is that exhaustive inquiries are being made: Cr Eliott asked' what was the level of the water -at the Tiritea reservoir.

The Mayor replied that it was two feet below the lip of the'dam. Cr ' Eliott commented that that meant a decrease of about eighteen inches in a week-.

Reports by the Dominion analyst and the pathological examined were submitted to the council concerning the artesian water supply obtained from the bore in Herotaunga Street. The report, which states that the water is of good quality for potable use, but somewhat hard for washifig and steam boilers, has already been' published in the “Standard.” The Mayor moved that the report be formally Teceived and lie stated that it was a matter for congratulation. He said that the total amount of constituent solids was not disclosed, but could be obtained on application being made. The engineer was taking that action.

On the suggestion of Cr Fitzherbert, it was decided that the full analysis should be compared with that' for the Tiritea supply. The report was received, the Mayor commenting that negative tests had been obtained for bacilli coli, compared with a very small amount in the Tiritea water.