WATER SUPPLY PROPOSALS

Waipa Post, Volume III, Issue 135, 9 August 1912, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY PROPOSALS

SUPPLY FROM PIRONGIA

MOUNTAIN.

REPORT BY MR MUNRO WILSON, C.E.

Following is a copy of the'report of Mr Munro Wilson on the proposed water supply for Te Awamutu, ancl for which a poll of ratepayers is to be taken on Wednesday next.' A detailed list, showing the various pipes and fittings, with amounts totalling the estimated costs stated in the report for both cast iron and steel, pipes, is. appended to the report. Any ratepayer is at liberty to see this report on application to the Town Clerk. The list appears to be most, complete, the streets having been measured so as to provide for actual requirements. We understand the general opinion is that spiral steel pipes are preferable, but it is probable that, providing the loan is authorised at the poll, alternative tenders will be called. The report reads : I enclose herewith estimates for the water supply and reticulation.

Cast iron pipes and fittings, £17,600. Spiral steel pipes and fittings, £16,605. The railway freight is a heavy item, and quite double what it should be in all fairness. The list of streets served with large pipes mentioned and shown on blue print of the town may npt all be well chosen, while the others missed out may be of more importance. I will be very pleased to amend the reticulation plan as vou direct, and furnish you with another blue print. I' have provided the weights of all items and the price list, so that the ’ estimates can easily be amended. I consider I have erred on the safe side, and there is a great possibility of the whole being done in cast inn for about £17,000. • . One hundred and sixteen fire plugs are provided where indicated on drawing These positions are subject, of course, to revision. It is usual to put ‘them about 70 yards apart. The pressure in the town will be I2olbsto the square inch, which may be considered an effective fire pressure, without requiring any special fittings for services other than what may be regarded as the usual stock supplies. The discharge works out at 430,000 gallons, in 24 hours. I estimate your present requirements for the town at about 86,000 gallons. The installation should provide for ten years’ increase. Many outside customers will be available cm the route of the pipe main, and the railway should be a large consumer. Farmers will also pay for extensions outside the town district. The, intake will be situated where indicated on the blue print, on property owned, I believe, by Mr O’Shea. The water will be conducted through a filtration gallery into an intake well, and will pass through screens before entering the pipes.

A reservoir with a capacity of 130,030 gallons will be situated two miles from the intake, at an elevation of 300 feet above the town. The regulation of the discharge from the intake will be controlled by a ball cock. The land available for a reservoir site is vested in the Crown. I measured the stream in two places on February 12th, 1912. Below Mr Grade’s house, the flow was 2,791,600 gallons in 24 hours ; at proposed intake, 2,203,200 gallons in 24 hours. The streams were low at the time, and it may be assumed that this is approximately the summer floto. Coming from such a high elevation, with a catchment area of virgin country, this source for a water supply is most desirable. From the intake to the Pirongia township the physical features of the country make the location of a pipe line no easy task. On my first visit I did not solve the problem that presented itself, and I therefore claim an excuse for delaying my estimate and tnaki,ng a second visit.

The list of pipes and fittings must be regarded only as an approximation, although I claim to be able to go very close to the actual requirements. The item of £250 included in the estimate provides for extensions to groups of isolated houses not reached by the reticulation shown on plan. It may be asserted that the reservoir can be dispensed with, and the water taken direct from the intake. Although it is possible to dispense with the reservoir I do not think it desirable. The reservoir is the pulse of the whole system. Owing to the physical features of the country the intake is at a higher elevation than required for pressure, and without the reservoir to break the pressure heavier pipes and fittings would be required. The reservoir provides a storage of water as close as possible to town. The water is controlled from the reservoir in both directions. Any break occurring beyond the reservoir can be repaired before the town supply is exhausted.