BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 99, 17 August 1943, Page 5

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY

CR CREEKE'S CRITICISM AN ABSURD POSITION Were it not for the fact that the Borough Council is already well aware of the shortcomings of the water supply service to Whakatane and has taken steps to note it down as one of the first jobs to be undertaken after the war, the trenchant criticism, of Cr Creeke at the meeting of the Borough Council last week might have caused something of breeze. As it was, the whole matter merely 'fizzled' when the Mayor explained that the council was quite unable to do anything about the position until such time as plant and stock could be purchased. Cr Creeke rose to the bait when the water system was discussed by the engineer in his report. The system he declared to be absolutely inadequate and outdated. He explained that after a visit to the pumping station he considered the whole water system something of a farce. The pumps were constantly overloaded and the amount of pumice forced through them gave rise to continual valve trouble which meant constant overhauls. He criticised the piping and the heavy fall which gave, a pressure of 1201bs when lie claimed that only 801bs was needed. The extra pressure, he said gave rise to continual leakages to repair -which a further wastage of money was involved. It was simp* ly like throwing money into the river to carry on with the present system. He suggested the construction of a higher dam with a lilter attached to it. This would overcome the pumice menace and would save the load on the pump. How any one came to construct the present, system he did not know. The Mayor: Cr Cree'kc has not told us anything we did not know already and the. council realises that it must get on to it as soon as possible. Cr Creeke: I'd like the council, to look into the possibilities oT a supply from the Maractotara Gorge. The Mayor: We've looked into it many a time. The subject then ended.