EXTRAORDINARY WATER USED

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 11

EXTRAORDINARY WATER USED

illegal plying of hoses. effect on borough supply. Whereas normally the consumption of water from the New Plymouth borough supply is 750,000 gallons daily, 'it has been estimated that during the last four or five days between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 gallons have been used. As mentioned at the recent meeting of the council, it is believed the main reason for. extraordinary increase has been the indiscriminate use of garden hoses as a result of the long period of rainless weather. . , The use of revolving sprinklers and stationary hoses is prohibited by bylaw. Some householders adopt the irregular practice of fixing their hoses and allowing them to run all night, thus making themselves liable to prosecution. A hose may be held by the hand for any length of time and the authorities do not desire to enforce any restrictions so long as that method is followed. It is pointed out, however, that a very large volume of water is wasted by the other practices referred to. Though there is any amount of water available for reasonable use, the mains are not sufficiently large to permit full pressure being maintained during an extravagant loading.' An important factor to be considered is the effect of abnormal use on the fire-fighting pressures on the higher levels.