MORE WATER STORAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 10

MORE WATER STORAGE.

MOUNT EDEN RESERVOIR, WORK NEARING COMPLETION. THE OLD CONTAINER SEALED. Another two months is expected to see the completion of tiie reservoir on Mount Eden, -which will increase (lie water storage in (ho city by 3,500,0 CX) gallons and give greater pressure in the higher levels. Plasterers aro now finishing the inside of the reservoir, and to allow for the removal of scaffolding and falsework from tho interior a gap lias been left in tho structuro at the top of the road. When this is closed tho reservoir will be availablo for service.

Construction was well advanced when a wall of tho old reservoir burst on March 4 under the pressure of about 800,000 gallons of water and this mishap undid practically all of the work and created havoc on the mountain side. To make the old container safe, it was decided to put down another five inches of concrete on tho floor, special attention being paid to the sealing of tho union bctweon the floor and walls. Tho damaged portion of the wall was replaced by another 15in. thick, the joint being effected in pillars of concrete sft. square. So well has tho wall been repaired that, .•)ltl;ougli tho old reservoir is now giving normal service, thero is not the slightest sign of a leak into tho new structure. As an additional safety factor and to mako for easier cleaning it was also decidod to divide the new reservoir with a central wall.

Working in tho confinod space of the reservoir is somewhat alarming until tho car becomes accustomed to the reverberations caused by the carpenters, tho plasterers and the men who arc chipping the floor in preparation for the cement finish. At first, the noise is liko the rush of a mighty torrent and the uew hand is inclined to direct questioning glances toward tho wall holding hack tho water in the adjacent tank. Appreciation of tho source of tho noises, however, stills tho alarm and the men carry on as if thero was nothing unusual in working under such conditions.

When tho reservoir is completed the only parts that will be visible will be portion of the front wall at the head of the road and a parapet. It is intended to cover the top with two feet of scoria and soil. The bared wall will be roughcast and in front there is to be a rockery. Steps on either side of the rockery will lead to the top. It is intended to plant grass on the top and when the surface has been trimmed tho Borough Council will consider the further beautifying of the area.