VENTURI METER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 3 October 1924, Page 4

VENTURI METER

REPORT BY CITY ENGINEER

In regard to the decision of tin? City Council to reinstate the Venturi meter at the waterworks, the following report by the City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) was authorised by the Cmrimittee of the Whole Council last evening to be handed to the press for publication:-—-“Some people seem to have an idea that water costs nothing, and that as long as there is any to 'bo had they should have free and unrestricted use if it. If, however, we consider tbe amounts expended from time to time to make the water available and to maintain the supply, it will be seea that so far from costing nothing, every gallon has an actual money value, and there is no real difference between wasting or stealing water and wasting or stealing any other kind of property. We consider it necessary to meter the output of gftg and electric current. It is just as necessary to know the volume of water entering the mains This can only be done by means of meters. It is useless to speculate on the sufficiency or otherwise of the present supply until it is ascertained without doubt what the demand really amounts to and whether the demand is reasonable; or not. The last meter readings showed water _ consumption, which <s a fair indication of household requirements, to be between 800.000 and 900,000 gallons per, day, while the summer consumption exceeded 1} million gallons, per day. Since the separation of mains there ha s never been anything approaching a shortage of water in the reservoir, whereas before that there was frequently a danger .of shortage at the weir, when the the whole town drew from that source, and the high levels were often without water for days at a time. The enlargement of the leading branches of reticulation must lead to an increased consumption; but how much greater, it is impossible to say without a meter on each. main. It. is impossible to estimate in case of drought how long the available water will last or to what extent restriction should be imposed unless there is „ » proper check on the quantity being used. Of all the meters the Venturi tube imposes, the least restriction on the flow of water in the mains. It has been tried and , tested and ,'proved efficient ,beyond ; any question, and I'might say the, removal of the meter Jlkid the Council open to the ridicule of the whole of New Zealand and many other places where it was reported. In mv opinion the meter should be replaced on the main from the, big- dam ,and another meter should be obtained and placed on the 7-inch main.,.from the weir. I have written to the agents for a quotation for a 7-inch meter, but have not had time yet for a reply.’*