WATER OFF AGAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 4

WATER OFF AGAIN

BLOCKAGE AT INTAKE DEBRIS CHOKES TRAPS TAUMATA EXHAUSTED' Further dislocation of the borough ■water s\ipply occurred dast night, owing to debris blocking the temporary intake in the Waingake Valley. Tlhe duration of this interruption could not be gauged this morning, owing to the depth of water in the stream from which the supply was being drawn. ~ '

Traps fitted oyer the intake to prevent the ingress of debris were choked last night, and according to reports received by the borough engineer, Mr. E. R. Thomas, it would be impossible to clear the obstructions until the flooding in the river subsided.

Taumata Hill reservoir was drawn upon last night to keep the town mains full, but this auxiliary supply was quickly exhausted. During the past few days, the .pressure in the system had not - been sufficient to raise the level of the water in the Taumata tank more than 4ft. This reserve was inadequate to meet the general draw-off, and a few hours saw the tank emptied again.

The borough engineer arranged to visit the emergency intake this morning, in an endeavour to expedite the clearing of the traps.