WATER SUPPLY AT PORT CHALMERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 6

WATER SUPPLY AT PORT CHALMERS

PROPOSED NEW RESERVOIR. At last night's meeting or the Port Chalmers Borough Council Cr Shanks reported that the reservoir supply had diminished 6in during tho past week, and | was now only 18in higher than tho previous lowest level. Steps had been takca to eonservo the supply as far as possible. Subsequently the Mayor (Mr Stevenson) said: "It is needless to remind you that tho water in the reservoir is not increasing, and tJiat tho water question will havo to receivo our immediate attention. It lias been elcaiiy proved that- the catchment area ot tiro present reservoir is anything but adequate for the consumption. Tho area is 400 acres, and, assuming the drought yield at 200 gallons per acre per day, tho supply to the reservoir for cach 24 hours would lw 80,000 gallons, or sufficient for a population of, say, 1300 persons, allowing 60 gallons per head per day during a drought period. It is only a question of time when the council will be compelled to provide a further supply, and as there arc no streams of,any magnitude to draw upon we will bavci to depend ontirelv upon storage for an increased supply. There is excellent site for a. reservoir of, say, 5,0b0,000 gallons' capacity within 10 or i2 chains from tho present rcsorvoir, which would, apart from any inflow or supply in the present reservoir, serve a population of 2000 persons for a period of 40 days, allowing 60 gallons per head per day. I think it is our duty to purchase 10 or 12 acres, and proceed with tho work as soon as possible. I move—' That the Water Committee be empowered to investigate and report at an' early date.'" After a short discussion, /during which councillors gonerallv expressed themselves in sympathy with tho scheme, tho motion was carried.