IMPROVING THE WATER SUPPLY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6631, 9 June 1928, Page 6

IMPROVING THE WATER SUPPLY

FIRST STEF AT TIRITBA. TO GLEAN OUT RESERVOIR. The first steps in the work of clearing the Tiritea reservoir of silt have already been taken by the borough engineering staff. A good deal of preliminary work was necessary. First of all a track had to bo cut along the edge of the dam to give access to the point in the stream about half a mile above the dam, where the permanent concrete weir is to be built. Along this track material necessary for the structure, such as iron, timber and cement, has been sledged and workmen have been busily engaged of late excavating for the foundations of this miniature dam which will keep the town supplied with water until the main reservoir has been emptied of its deposits. Questioned as to whether the weir would be able to cope with the requirements of the town, the borough engineer, Mr. J. E. Hughes, pointed out that the stream itself was able to keep the town supplied and as the cleansing of the big dam was to be undertaken in the rainy months, there would be no fear of a shortage of water. Mr Hughes also stated that with a permanent weir, there was no reason why the big dam should not be cleaned out every two years if thought advisable and so prevent the large accumulation that he had now to contend with.