Taumarunui Water Supply Blocked by Ash

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 281, 28 November 1945, Page 8

Taumarunui Water Supply Blocked by Ash

RUAPEHU DUST CAUSES CRISIS A grave crisis over the water supply arose at Taumarunui when heavy rain brought large quantities of volcanic ash from Ruapehu into the Wanganui River, from which the town’s water is drawn. So filthy was the water that filtration became impossible and pumping had to cease, leaving the borough and Manunui with less than 12 hours' normal supply in the reservoir. The plight of the area was relieved when the hydro-electric plant on the same site as the filtration plant was closed down to reduce the flow and allow pumping on a limited scale. Filtration at the borough council's plant at Piriaka was reduced from the normal rate of 20,000 gallons an hour to 7000 gallons, but even then it was impossible to filter efficiently. When pumping ceased only .pine feet of clean water remained in the reservoir. Th: would be about 220,000 gallons, compared with a daily consumption oi 500,000 gallons. Electric Plant Closed. It appears that the hydro-electric plant will closed until the river returns to a condition that enables both plants to operate simultaneously. The closing of the plant will not, however, affect the district’s supply of electricity. A sample of water taken in a small bottle took 20 minutes for the first clear water to appear at the top of tne bottle. Even then the top was streaked with ash. Urgent consideration to the problem will probably be given by the borougn council at a special meeting to-morrow. It is thought that a possible remedy would be to construct a sedimentation reservoir with a capacity of 2,000,00'gallons, sufficient for five days, at Piriaka. Since it is unknown how long the activity of Ruapehu will last, it may be considered necessary to draw water from a source other than the river. RUAPEHU STILL ACTIVE The Chateau Tongariro reported on Monday that Ruapehu was continuing to pump tremendous volumes of smoke into the sky, but the ash was no longer falling on the north side, the pall being more to the east. Heavy cloud cleared from the mountain yesterday for the first time in some days. There is almost a complete coating of volcanic ash over all the slopes, but ash has ceased to contaminate the mental hospital's water supply. Light and water services were put into operation again on Saturday and have worked without a break ever since.