RAIN STILL NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23739, 20 August 1940, Page 9

RAIN STILL NEEDED

SYDNEY'S WATER SUPPLY SYDNEY, Auprust i« Although about 70 points of rain were recorded in Sydney and adjacent areas between Friday morning and yesterday afternoon, only "very light showers were experienced on the Nepean and Warragamba catchment areas, which serve the Sydney water system. Falls ranged from about two points to 25 points at various places on the Nepean catchment, but these were quite insufficient to allay fears of a water shortage in Sydney. The dry ground absorbed most of the rain, so that the run-off was negligible. Water Board officials last night expressed keen disappointment with the falls, although it was realised that rain in the metropolitan area would eliminate use of water for gardening while it lasted. That would represent only a trifling saving against Sydney's needs. The chief engineer of the Water Board. Mr. S. T. Farnsworth, said that there was sufficient water stored to last until next June, but, although the chances were that substantial rains would fall before then, full precautions would have to be taken to safeguard the city's supply. If daily consumption was cut down from the present figure of 00 gallons a head to 10 gallons a head, the existing store of water would last eight years.

In response to the appeal of the Premier, Mi - . Alair, prayers for rain were offered in all churches in Sydney and the suburbs yesterday. Worshippers were asked also to intercede by silent prayer as well as in their own homes.