GORE WATER SUPPLY

Southland Times, Issue 22201, 19 December 1933, Page 6

GORE WATER SUPPLY

NEED FOR NEV/ SCHEME. COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Reports on the estimated cost of a gravitation water supply scheme _ for Gore were revived at last evening s meeting of the Borough Council and in a brief discussion the need for some action in the near future was stressed. Some time ago Councillor M. Fitzgerald asked for reports on a gravitation scheme, together with information concerning economies in expenditure and additional revenue which could be obtained by the provision of an adequate water supply. The Town Clerk read a report by the borough engineer, presented in 1923, recommending that a water supply be taken from the Waipahi stream at a cost of approximately £40,000. Reports of public meetings to discuss the question were also read, and it was stated that a duplication of the pumping system had been adopted eventually in preference to a gravitation system. The engineer in his report, had stated that a supply could be obtained from the Waimumu stream at a much lower cast, but as he had been instructed to make provisions for supplying a town with a population of 7000 he had not been assured that this stream would supply the required quantity of water and therefore could not recommend it.

The Town Clerk stated that the engineer had since expressed the opinion that the Waimumu stream would probably supply sufficient water for the requirements for many years to come, and that the cost of the scheme would be approximately £BOOO. Mr Harvey estimated that the elimination of a pumping system and the compulsory connection of all properties to water and drainage would effect economies amounting approximately to £B7O per annum, while the utmost additional revenue would be £370.

The Mayor said that the adoption of a new system would involve substantial expenditure in the laying of further water and drainage mains. The engineer’s estimate of £BOOO could perhaps be doubled, and the savings and extra revenue would practically balance the interest on a special loan. It was a good thing that Councillor Fitzgerald had brought up the matter, because the council before long would have to consider whether it would put in another well or bring in a new supply. The matter could be held in abeyance in the meantime, and if the summer proved to be a dry one a fair test would be afforded of the existing facilities. It was decided to receive the Town Clerk’s report and to ask the engineer to take occasional measurements during the summer of the volume of water obtainable from the Waimumu stream.