WATER FROM LAKE PUPUKE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21463, 10 April 1933, Page 13

WATER FROM LAKE PUPUKE

Sir, —The fact that the level of Lake Pupuke has been reduced from 12ft. above high tide level to approximately the mean between high and low tide levels, is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the amount of water consumed by the three boroughs across the harbour is beyond tho capacity of the lake and its catchment area. The contamination of tho water is due to the reduced level of the lake, and the only reasonable solution of tho problem is to reduce the consumption of the three boroughs so that the level of the lake will rise to a point 3ft. above high tide level. There is not the slightest doubt that the lave seen at the lake's edge belongs to the same lava flow which formed Rangitoto, and that the connection runs under the papa rock between Pupuko and Rangitoto. There is evidence that the fissures in the lava were filled with fresh water. This evidence lias gradually disappeared as the level of Pupuke was reduced. If tho boroughs persist in pumping at the present rate I doubt if the present level of the lake will be much affected, but the boroughs will probably find themselves without a water supply, and it will take something more than filtration or chlorination to make tho water drinkable. If the northern boroughs do not allow the level of the lake to rise they are courting disaster. Geologist.