THE WATER SUPPLY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 31, 1 October 1912, Page 1

THE WATER SUPPLY.

Cost of the Trial. Matters affecting the water supply again came before the Borough Council at its last meeting- The report of Mr Gilberd, giving particulars of the six days' test, was received. This substantially confirmed the news we published last issue and Mr Gilberd explained that the necessity for pumping from both bores had made the cost heavier. This totalled £72 (wages £43, fuel £24, machinery hire £5). After discussion it was decided to accept Mr Gilberd's work as a completion of his contract to test the water and to pay the amount. On the Mayor's motion, Mr Gilberd was also accorded a vote of thanks for his good work. n Several (questions were asked by Or. Comrie from which it appeared that in Mr Suggate's opinion the plant employed on the test was not sufficiently powerful to lift 9000 gallons an hour. According to Mr Gilberd the reason only 7000 gallons an hour was pumped was that the water was only arriving at the 60ft. level at that rate. Mr Gilberd explained that towards the end of the test lumps of pumice came up and the inflow afterwards appeared to be freer. He said further that 10horse power would be required to operate the air compressors at 60ft.; if the pipes were lowered to 100 ft., 36horse power would be required.

Mr Sugg ate' 9 Report. " The test, as far as it has goile, fully confirms my remarks when «I recommended an air lift arrangement to bring the water nearer the ground level. I have tested the amount of water thrown out of the two bores many times, finding an average of about 7000 gallons per hour, but do not anticipate the full output of bores has beon reached, and there is in addition the 2000 gallons an hour in the well not included in the above amount,. "Present pumping.—The present air lift arrangement seemed very uncertain. . In three days only about I Gin. of water had been put in the reservoir, in addition to filling the mains. The pumping had not aveiaged four hours per day (due to imperfect machinery). "Filling reservoir.—When at the reservoir and while the compressor was actually working I noted the watei flowed in very evenly and sweetly, the average depth of water over the whole reservoir was Ift, lin., representing thirty-three to thirty-five thousand gallons. j "Testing water mains.—Before the I water reached the reservoir the intervening main had, of courso, to be I tilled "gradually increasing the pressure in the pipes until the guage stood at about 21olbs. to the square inch, the only other indication being a slight weep at two joints which was | quickly rectified with a spanner. This on about two miles of mains showed I very excellent work. In this length of pipes one expects a number of weeping joints- In addition .to the above the main towards the town as far as Mr Dell's shop is also full of water." The engineer said he would be propared at next meeting with specifications and estimates of the required machinery. It was decided to run the engines night and day to get the reservoir filled to enable the pipes to be tested and the contracts to be completed.