NORTE SHORE WATER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 6

NORTE SHORE WATER.

- —■••••«■! • -. ..«■ LAKE TAKAPUNA FALLING* . INSUFFICIENT BESERVE. ■ ■ .-' ■■, :.;.:. '■' ' .!l.}-:,'?' ->'■'■ silfl^ NEW SUPPLY .! ESSENTIAL, "f A statement concerning the water sqp. ply from Lake Pupuke, commonly called Lake Takapuna, was made yesterday by the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. A. M Gould. | He said that the level of the lake was now ; Bft. above high-water mark, having pr," ceded 2£in. since the beginning of taja* month. The present level of the lake, Mr. Gould continued, represented a storage which could be relied upon to carry tie North Shore boroughs through the coming summer, though it was anticipated that before next year's rains set in, the level would fall below 4ft. Leaving aside ail theories as to where the source of supply was situated, observations taken over a number of years proved that the leva' of the lake varied according to the rainfall. Analysis had shown that the lake water practically coincided with the analysis of rain water. It was also known that ths normal consumption of the North Shore boroughs exceeded the normal lake supply. Mr*. Gould said that the inference, therefore, was that- it was only the phenomenal rainfall of the last six years {during which the average exceeded that of thu last 68 years by approximately 13in., or 30 per cent.), that bad postponed the day when the North Shore would be compelled to seek other sources of supply. It. may be taken as settled by observation and expert opinion, proceeded Mr. Gould, that the lake, though at its present level capable of carrying the North Shore boroughs through one dry year, will not suffice to do so for two dry years.. It, therefore, behoves the boroughs" concerned to look ahead, and take the necessary steps in time. They cannot afford to risk the disastrous consequences, which have been .suggested by those, in authority as possible, if the lake should be drawn upon until the level should have sunk be low high water mark. It is difficult to see how the boroughs concerned can proceed with sewerage schemes that have been mooted until the water supply has been augmented, -concluded Mr. Gould.