THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Mornings. Nelson, Tuesday, December 15, 1896. THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8744, 15 December 1896, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily — Mornings. Nelson, Tuesday, December 15, 1896. THE CITY WATER SUPPLY.

If it be a fact as stated that the quantity of water flowing through the mains into town every day is equal to 118 gallons for every soul, there should be little cause for complaint that the supply of water is insufficient for household requirements, provided the water were only used for domestic purposes. It happens, however, that a very considerable quantity of water is used by people for business purposes. Those using steam engines consume a certain amount, -those engaged in gardening and raising produce for export require a supply, and the breweries and tanneries and other industrios cannot be carried on without drawing considerably upon the town supply Then, too, those who keep horses and cattle require more than an average quantity of water, and tjie Corporation itself consumes a very great deal. Altogether, then, when the demands of a'l these are taken into account, it is very evident that the average supply to the individual is very materially less than the quantity stated, and with a very large consumption going on in the town and the adjacent flat land, those living on higher ground are pretty certain to go short as long as the whole supply ha 9 to pass through a seven-inch pipe, ar at present. Whatever, the number of gallons that flow into town daily, it is clear enongh from the many complaints made that the quantity is iceoffioient for the neede of the people. It may be that there h more than sufficient for hoaseho'd requiremeiit', but if water ia eeedei for other purpoßes, there is no reason in the world why a sufficient quantity* should Lot be sapplied provider tbe residents of the city are willing to pay for the LecesEary service. A view appears to be entertained bj some tbat water used in gardenß by thoso who cultivate froit and vegetables for sale — pfien in distant markets— is mere waete, but tbe idea is a ridiculous one, for such water is only used with the object of increasing the yitld, and thereby enriching the p.odaoer and the district. If we could increase the number of such producers at a reasonable cost, the oity would derive many adsaa-t-igep, and a sight addition to the water rate would be more thau compensated. The question (o consider is whether an additional supply of water can be secured without incurring an unreasonable expenditure. One Councilor advocates the laying of a second seven inch main down Brook Street Valley, but against that it was asserted on Friday nigbt that there was not enough water then in the stream to keep the second mabi

supplied. Years ago, after spells of dry weather, it was asserted by experts that the supply was sufficient for two mains, and it would be well before laying a second main to obtain independent evidence on this point, but it may be pointed out that the laying of a second maia would not necessarily lead to the consumption being doubled. The largest consumers would use little if any more, but their consumption would not then so nearly empty tha mains as to reduce the pressure to an extent that those living on the higher levels remained waterless, The flow of water during the night would surely syiffice to replenish the store above the dam, and if by laying a second main all cause for complaint could be removed, there is no reason why that work should I not be undertaken in time for next I summer. The people have a right to insist that their wans shall be supplied, but it would be well if the question of how these wants may best be met were referred to an independent engineer for his opinion.