MOUNT EDEN RESERVOIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 10

MOUNT EDEN RESERVOIR.

WORK NEARING COMPLETION. TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT', The new on Mount Eden i» rapidly nearing completion, and it is probable that tests will be carried out within the next month or two in order to gauge the holding capacity of the structure. The contract time expires in November. The walls of the reservoir, 21ft. high, have been erected and the roof put On with the exception of a hole to permit the entrance of the working parties and 'ouilding material. The. work now in progress consists of lining the interior of the reservoir, both walls and floor, with cement plaster, impervious to water, and this is already in an advanced state of' completion. The new reservoir is divided into two compartments, one of which is already prepared for the reception of its water content.

Before the structure is handed over by the contractors, the Fletcher Construction Company, to the City Council's waterworks department, the reservoir will be filled to its utmost capacity, namely, 3,600,000 - gallons. The tot;il «torago capacity on Mount • Eden, including. one of the old reservoirs still retained there, will be approximately 5,000.000 gallons, against a capacity of about 2,000.G00 gallons in the, past. Pipes with a diameter of 18in., as compared with 12in. previously, are being installed at the intake. When the plaster lining is in place 1 lie regulating machinery and meters will be installed, after which 2ft. of earth will be thrown over the roof of the reservoir, completely hiding it from view from the higher slopes of the hill. The excavated spaces outside the walls will then be filled in and the only exposed portion of the wall, facing the track that winds up th# mountain-side near the tea kiosk, will receive a coat of rough cast and plaster. This face has been panelled in concrete to improve its appearance.