RESERVOIR ON SLOPES OF MOUNT EDEN BURSTS WITH TERRIFIC NOISE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6851, 5 March 1929, Page 7

RESERVOIR ON SLOPES OF MOUNT EDEN BURSTS WITH TERRIFIC NOISE

Wide Area Flooded 800,000 GALLONS SWEEP DOWN HILL FORTUNATELY LITTLE PROPERTY DAMAGE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND', Mar. 4. Residents in the locality of Mount Eden had a sensational experience at 6.30 this morning when the reservoir supplying a large portion of the city and suburbs burst with a roar that was heard half a mile away.

The reservoir which is situated on the city side of the mountain contained a million and a-quarter gallons of water which rudhed down the mountain side, taking a course mainly along what is known as the drive.

Tho greater part went into a disused quarry, but a hugo stream swept down the hillside on to the main road, gradually getting away over the sloping land an either side. The road this morning was impassable for traffic, the tram service being held up and a temporary service was provided by buses. Debris covered the road for about half a mile, consisting of pieces of concrete, silt, and workmen’s tools. Thero was little damago to property. In some places the water covered lawns to a foot deep, but apparently did no other damage. Fortunately there was nobody about at that early hour. The rush of water lasted for half an hour and the whole of one side of the square reservoir was carried away. The cause of the disaster was apparently excavation work for the extension of the reservoir. Mrs Martin, the wife of the caretaker of tho reservoir, who resides on the northern slope of the mountain, stated that she was awakened at 5.5 a.m. by the sound of rushing water. It was like the noise of heavy rain on an Hon roof.

The reservoir which burst was a ferro-concrete structure built in 1912, and alongside of it an excavation was being made for another reservoir. It was tho concrete wall between these two reservoirs that was carried away. As the huge volume of water poured down the mountain side, three motor vehicles were completely overwhelmed. The force of the water was so great that the concrete wall of the dam thirteen inches thick was carried a distance of 80 to 100 ft and smashed to pieces. One solid piece was carried 180 feet. A section of the reservoir roof 80ft hy 18ft was left hanging like a huge spider’s weh. The rushing water tore and ripped the main road extensively and caused much damage on the roads leading to the lower levels.

In one place there is a chasm 15ft by 50ft in length extending practically the whole width of the footpath in a side street.

Water pouring into the rubbish tip on the mountain caused an awful stench. The reserve service pumping plant is being used to meet urgent requirements. Tho blow-out affects all the higher levels of the cjty and suburban water supply area, also Symonds street, Grafton road and Khyber Pass.

Cause Not Yet Ascertainable

RESERVOIR ONLY HALT TULL

AT TIME.

AUCKLAND, Last Night.

Reference to the bursting of the reservoir was made at the Mount Eden Borough council meeting to-night, when the Mayor (Mr Potter) said tffie council and its engineer were in no respect whatsoever responsible for the unfortunate disaster. The council extended to the Auckland City council its regret and sympathy in its misfortune. Tho Borough engineer had assured him the new reservoir now in course of construction, would be perfectly safe but it would bo incumbent on the city council to effect substantial repairs to the damaged reservoir so that it would ensure its stability for all time. The City engineer( Mr Bush) on being interviewed, said the cause of the break could not be determined until a detailed investigation was made. The reservoir was constructed in 1912 by contractors under instructions from the council and the type was in accordance with standard practice at that time. Since then, advances had been made in ferro-concrete work and the new reservoir would bo in one piece; that is, the wall, floor and roof would be all linked by reinforcing rods and by concrete. In the old reservoir, the wall was carried down past the floor to which it was fastened with rods, the join being sealed. Ho was advised last week there was a small leak from the reservoir and instructions were given that tho pressure of water should be reduced, the water in the tank to be sufficient to balance the flow from tho pump at Khyber Pass.

The break might have been due to a structural weakness where tho wall and floor joined, or to excavations for tho new reservoir weakening the foundations. It would bo some time before he could give an estimato of the damage. Tho Waterworks superintendent, (Mr G. Carr) said the instructions given by Mr Bush to reduce the pressure wore carried out and at tho time of the break, there could not have been more than 800,000 gallons of water in tho geservoir; about half of its capacity.