WATER AFTER 12 MONTHS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1934, Page 7

WATER AFTER 12 MONTHS

WAITARA ARTESIAN SUPPLY FLOW OF 12,000 GALLONS AN HOUR. FOR USE IN THE FREEZING WORKS. B \ - DIVINER’S CORRECT PREDICTION. A flow of artesian water averaging 12,000 gallons an hour was struck on Friday at a depth of 68 feet on the bank of the Waitara River after nearly 12 months’ well-boring operations by the Waitara freezing works at a spot less than 10 feet away had failed. The water is clear and fresh and palatable, but has not yet been analysed to discover its suitability for freezing works purposes. At present the Waitara freezing works uses 1,200,000 gallons of water a day, calculated only on the known capacity of the pumps used for purposes. With the multifarious uses for which water is necessary in a freezing works the consumption can be put down at a much larger figure, especially in rush periods. The greater part of this is drawn from the Waitara borough supply, aided for various purposes by water drawn from the river and from the freezing works dam. The well-boring operations have been in progress in order to obtain if possible a suitable and sufficient supply to supplant these sources. . Boring was commenced last August on a site on the river bank on the seaward side of the works buildings, the position being selected after a diviner had indicated an underground stream. The record of the past 11 months’ percussion drilling has been one of constant difficulties, bands of particularly solid rock sometimes holding progress to a few inches a week. Gradually, however, the well was sunk to a depth of 400 feet before it was felt by the contractors, Messrs. Parkinson and Rasmussen, Palmerston North that further boring would not help. At this stage a diviner was again called in and, after proving what was already evident, that no water stream existed under the well site, found his twig twisting violently over a spot only 9ft 7in from the well. The diviner predicted that water would be found at a depth of approximately 70 fegt and on his advice a second well was sunk last Monday on the spot he indicated. The going was easy and on Friday at a depth of 68 feet a strong stream was struck. Prospecting was done for a further 4 feet but the flow diminished and the casing was pulled back whereat the stream increased once again.

Compressed air was blown through an internal pipe and the aerated water rose strongly in a jet 2 or 3 feet high from the end of the pipe. Since then it has been controlled by the injection of compressed air and tests have been made with a continuous flow at a nominal pressure. A 400 gallon tank was filled in 2m 10s, and this, allowing for waste, indicates a flow of 12,000 gallons an hour on the average. Analysis of the supply is to be made to assure its suitability for boiler and other uses and if this is as satisfactory as is expected it is intended to sink six wells altogether, which should be adequate for the works’ requirements. It is intended to commence excavation work with a view to the creation of a “lake” in the vicinity of the coal heaps, and if things go well the holding capacity will probably be 800,000 gallons, a little more than a normal half day’s supply.