TOWN WATER SUPPLY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 8, 15 September 1944, Page 5

TOWN WATER SUPPLY

PRECARIOUS POSITION REACHED

DIFFICULTIES IN PUMPING

STATION

ALTERNATIVE HILLCREST

SCHEME

The very serious position which "has arisen regarding the town's "water supply as a result of the river grit wearing the valves in •the pumping unit was discussed stt the Whakatane Borougji •Council meeting on Monday evening. The Mayor (Mr B. "Barry) mentioned that it was now obvious that am alternative water scheme was needed for the 'town and to thisi end the Bor■ough Foreman and Engineer were mow engaged on bringing down a plan for a new reseryoir with sufficient fall in the Maraetoiara Stream. To emphasise the critical st-ite of the the electrical engineer, Mr F. W.' Lysaght ( produced two •of the new valves, which he said had been running for only 15-1. and which had been worn in that time by the pumice, and grit almost to the semblance of a washing board. The solid brass of which these were composed had been gouged out into fine channels and Mr Lysaght declared that lie did not think there was a pump made which could cope "with the water from the Whakatane.

"The river is getting progressively worse year by year/' said Mr Lysaght. "The amount of gravel which is being borne clown by the current makes it almost impossible for any metal to stand up to the work. For the last heavy rubber glands "were used instead of phospher bronze but the result was worse, than ever. The valves have been referred back to the agents for further advice." The engineer went on to say that •one of the disadvantages of having no attendant at the pumping station was illustrated recently when .a pocket of air had excluded water from being pumped from the river. } with the result that operations wexe •carried, out all night before it was discovered that no water had been lifted. The l Mayor said it was obvious that the Council must face up to the fact that its present plant was not meeting the purpose for which it was designed. He had conferred with Messrs Henderson and Lysaght on the question of an alternative scheme and it had been decided to authorise them to investigate, the possibilities of the ' Maraetotara •Gorge. He had been assured by Mr Henderson that by the erection of a 10ft. barrier across the stream there would probably be sufficient water to supply the town for nine or ten

-ngonths each year. The scheme was not an expensive one, and he personally had every confidence that it would meet their requirements for the time being. The whole proposal -would be coming forward to the "Council in the near future and when completed would be a good method of proving whether or not it was worth the Council's while going on with the major scheme on Hill crest. i- The Council decided to await the report and then to act accordingly.