Duplicating the Pumping Plant.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 5703, 22 April 1911, Page 2

Duplicating the Pumping Plant.

A representative of the Waipawa Mail interviewed his Worship the Mayor (Mr W. I. Limbrick), yesterday, relative to the proposal to borrow £2500 for duplicating the pumping plant, and upon which a poll will betaken on Wednesday next. Mr Limbriok stated that tho Boheme was to instal another engine capable of pumping 15,000 gallons an hour aud to lay a seven inoh pipe line, running parallel with the present ODe, from the pumpiDg station to the reservoir. Another engine room would also be ereoted, but the present well and reservoir would suffice. The main idea was to have two souroes of pumping power absolutely independent of each other. Both the oounoil and the engineer were of opinion that duplication was neoessary, and this view is now being confirmed iu a practical way, as a breakdown occurred a few days ago. He considered it lucky that it was not more serious. The demand for water had increased enormously in the last six months. Tho long spell of dry weather saw a daily increasing consumption, and as there are now 90 dwellings aud shops connected with the sewerage scheme by the patent flushing Bystem, it is obvious that some certainty of water supply must be obtained. Presuming that a serious breakdown occurred and that only the present plant was available, the very faot of so many houses being entirely dependent upon the water supply for sanitary purposes is sufficient proof of the necessity for an extra engine. The Public School is now being fitted with the patent system, and that institution alone will use some hundreds of gallons daily. Many people, Mr Limbrick went on to say, seem to forget that the present proposal is absolutely necessary for tho safe working of the patent sanitary Bystem The present plant has been taxed to its utmost capaoity during the last three months in pumping water for domestic purposes, and it must be remembered ihat the majority of the patent W.C's. have only been working for about six weeks. It has been asked why another reservoir oould not be erected and secure a supply by storage, and thus do away with the extra engine. Both the engineer aud the Health Officer have stated that our river water deteriorates by storage, developing a vegetable growth. Mr Limbrick further stated that the engineer had rooommended regular flushing of the sewers, to ensure a free and unobstructed flow. At present this oould only be done occasionally, as the present plant was now taxed feverely. At the present rate of consumption the pumping would have to be doDo in day aud night shifts. This would mean a considerable amount in wages. By working the new and old plants, all the pumping oould be done during the day and by the one man, without any extra cost in wages. The rejaotion of the proposal would mean that when another 20 or 30 houses are fitted with patent water closets, the water would have to be out off each Gvening to ensure a full reservoir in case of fire. The interest and sinking fund on the loan would amount to £l2l aud the rate over the borough would be a farthing in the £ on the unimproved value. Again, the rejection of the proposal would force the council to increase the water rate to meot the expense of the additional wages before mentioned, or else iustal meters. To do this would ooat at least as much as the present proposal Asked why a publio meeting bad not been called to disouss the proposal, Mr Limbrick said that “The Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Act ” had rescinded that provision, but he thought the ratepayers were sufficiently alive to the merits of the proposal.