WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22063, 14 June 1943, Page 2

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

REFERENCE TO WAIKATO RIVER AUCKLAND, Monday The conference of Government and local body representatives in Auckland which inquired into possible alternative water supply schemes for the metropolitan area was informed by Mr J. Tyler, Auckland citv engineer, that there were difficulties in the way of purifying water drawn from the lower reaches of the Waikato River. The river carried three types of impurities, sewage, peat stain from swamps, and in floodtime, pumice grit. Mr Tyler said experience at xxamiltun showed that pumice grit in the water had a very damaging effect on pumps. The conference was advised by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, that the Board of Health had decided that a requisition should be issued to the City Council to proceed with the £540,000 lower Nihotopu scheme without taking a poll of ratepayers. The reference to Hamilton’s experience no doubt related to the period when the Arapuni hydroelectric scheme was introduced. Huge quantities of pumice silt were coming down the river, and the particular pumps in use at the Hamilton borough station at that time sufered damage. A new type of pump was installed, and since then very little trouble has been experienced.