CITY’S WATER SUPPLY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11876, 9 July 1924, Page 6

CITY’S WATER SUPPLY

ORGNGORONCO SCHEME WORK AT FAR END OF TUNNEL PROGRESSING. WHAT IS BEING DONE. At the Orongorongo tunnel, a “Times” representative learnt yesterday, work at the faT cud is approaching completion. There has been much to do at this spot and the waterworks department has been fully occupied for some time past. The task presented has been the damming of three branch streams running into the river, and the con struction of small weirs in each. FOR MORE WATER.

The object of this is to be able to turn these streams into the main atany time should the dow of water from the river become too small. These streams will add about 50 per cent, to the total How.

For fifty weeks out of the fifty-two, it was explained, the river would provide ample water for the main, but in the event of a dry summe.r the flow might fall below the capacity of the main. This work by the department is a safeguard for the city. It will make the difference between tapping an area of 10 square mileo and of 15 square miles for Wellington’s water supply, though the river alone is estimated to keep the city amplv supplied for 50 yeara out of the 52. and in some years all the year round. LAYING THE MAIN.

The pipes for the laying of the mains are expected to be ready at the beginning of August and this work will bo pushed on at the earliest possible moment. The waterworks department now awaits the arrival of a second trenching machine of different type specially chosen for the task, and this will be employed when it comes to hand.