TAKAPUNA WATER SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 15

TAKAPUNA WATER SUPPLY

Sir, —After reading Mr. Thomas Lamont's extraordinary statements in connection with the North Shore water supply, I am anxious to know how Sir Alexander Houston in London could with any definite degree of accuracy approve of augmentation of Lake I'upuke by diverting stonnwater from the swampy area in the Wairan Valley. Mr. Lament differs from the view taken by Mr. Meikle. chairman of the Water Board, as regards the advisability of tapping the Vpper Wairau. but ii" Mr. Liunont will only inquire at the proper quarter lie will find that Dr. Cliesson was not in favour of a Lower Wairau scheme? owing to possibility of contamination. I would remind Mr. Lament that Sir Alexander Houston only advocated treatment of impure water when water of first quality was not available. Harmful organisms in impure water can be destroyed by the use of copper sulphate, chloride of lime and other chemicals, but what about the palatability of the water after treatment P That is the trouble with the water in Lake Pnpuke now. After Kiiendins approximately £9OO during the last six months in treating tho water with copper sulphate, it has still to he chlorinated and the flavour of the water is not what it should be. The only solution is for the four boroughs to purchase filtered water from 'lie citv. As Mr, Lament states, the Fpper Wairau scheme is too expensive. Approximately 2000 acres of land would have to he purchased, and a huge dam erected so that water could bo delivered inio the mains and reservoirs continuously. A very expensive filtration plant would have to be installed, otherwise palatable water could not bo obtained. The idea of simnl.. conveying water in winter to the lake and losing half of it by leakage and exaporotion is too sillv to lie entertained. The lake would have to be treated with copper sulphate, same as now, owing to tho protozoa having made their permanent, abode there. And ehlorination and even expensive filtration would not improve the flavour of the water. The Wairau Valley is a swamp and was used formerly as a night soil dump. Takanuna people would never sanction the Wairau scheme. •Tniix firixiTKN', Mayor of Takapuna.