THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7844, 13 January 1887, Page 5

THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

A "VISIT TO THE western SPRINGS. On account of a report having been circulated that the overflow from the Western Springs had stopped. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Devore) paid a visit to the pumping station and the Springs yesterday afternoon, to ascertain the aotual position of the matter. He was accompanied by Councillors Crowther, Cooper, and Phillipps, and a Herald reportsr. Upon arrival at the pumping station the party was met by the engineer (Mr. J. Gibson), and shown over the outflows of the pond, and .the main spring, from whioh the city is supplied direct. The pump was not working at the time, as it had stopped at seven o'clock in the morning, having been working for a period of 57 hours, from ten p.m. on Sunday. During that time it had almost filled the Ponsonby reservoir, and also kept up tho city supply. On visiting the pond overflow it was found that in abont a couple of hours tho wateir had risen about an inch and a-balf, and there was an overflow of about ten gallons per minute at the board. The main spring on the opposite side of the pond was then inspected. On opening the man-hole to the well into which the spring gushes, the water was found to be as clear and cool as crystal, and an abundant supply. We may mention that the well is covered with shell to keep ont any impurities that might contaminate the water as it leaves the spring. To fill tha Ponsonby reservoir, and keep up the city consumption, the pumps, as stated before, had been running for a period of 57 hours, yet the fall in the water had been only four inches, and in nine hours, since pumping ceased, it had risen 1£ incheß. It may be stated that during last summer on one occasion there was a full of six inches, yet now, with a drought of mbont live weeks, the fall has been only four inches, and at present the pond iB overflowing. Outside the well is constructed a stone filter, through which, if necessary, the water from the pond can be drawfa into the well. There are two smaller springs on the same shore of the pond, but they are not pumped from at present, as there in a considerable amount of raupo and vegetable growth surrounding them, and on that account the waterworks engineer (Mr. W. Errinijton) considers the purity of the water might be affected. These springs can be drawn upon again at any time if required, an the earthenware pipes are laid into them from the pump* ing station. Edgeoumbe's Creek, which bounds the City Council recently acquired property opposite tho Western Springs, was then visited. As the party approached the cre*k a mob of horses were driven to water, or rather they came galloping along of their own accord, as the precious fluid is very scarce on the adjacent farms. The oreek was found to have a splended flow of water still, which was estimated to bo sufficient for a large town. One of the springs whioh runs into the oreek was next looked at; and here, after clearing away a quantity , of watercresses, a copious supply was found to be issuing from the scoria. In fact, it was roughly calculated that, if necessary, a connection could easily be made with Edgeanmbe's creek at a cost of about £1000, The party then retraced their steps to the overflow at the pond, where it was found that the pond, whioh covers an area of nearly five acres, had risen half an inch since their previous visit. Just beyond the outlet of the pond was what is called a leak to the enolosure. Here there was found to be an overflow of considerable volume, and which the engineer estimated was sufficient to supply the Kyber Pass Reservoir. This overflow runs into a creek which winds down between the pond and the abattoirs hilL The creek then finds its outlet into the harbour. The whole party expressed great surprise at the volume ot water that was flowing from the pond at this point, and which, apparently, had no effect upon the depth of water. It was quite apparent that the springs bad filled the pond to its full | capacity, and the overflow was the surplus. | The Mayor expressed himself fully satisfied I that there was an ampla supply coming from the uprings for the population of 40,000, which, it is estimated, is. receiving the oity water. We append the following interesting tables, showing the comparative consumption of water during the past four months Month. Ponsonby. Kyber. Total. September .. 29,960,62J 8 287,650 38,238,270 October .. 29,523,700 7.720,660 37,244,300 November .. 30,999 100 7,859,790 88.849, camber .. 38,351,300 10,316,740 43.658,040 Pumping time. Coal consumed. September .. 606 hoars 40 minutes 171 ton«4cwt. , October .. 431 hours 5 minutes 166 ton* 12cwt. November .. 431 hours 45 minutes 160 tons Ocwt. Docember ..417 hours & minutes 172 tonal lew It will be seen that for the month of December the consumption was nearly 49 million gallons, being the largest quantity yet pumped, and shows an increase of about 10 millions upon November. As compared with December, 1885, the increase is about the same. The largest consumption during last summer was in March, when 43$ millions were pumped. In January last the quantity supplied to the city was almost 43 millions. In connection with the Ponsonby reservoir we may mention that it has a capacity of of about three millions, and that when pumping ceased at noon on Saturday the reservoir was then full, and had a threedays' supply, but on Sunday night twothirds ot the water were consumed, and ; pumping started at ten o'clock, and kept on for a period of 57 hours.