Councillor Joe Creeke Demands Further Investigation Concerning Borough’s New Water Supply

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 79, 9 August 1948, Page 5

Councillor Joe Creeke Demands Further Investigation Concerning Borough’s New Water Supply

“Touching on my views in regard to the gravitation system,” Jie writes, “I want to emphasise here that this system has never been thoroughly investigated or surveyed as to the possibilities of developing Wainui Te Whara ; stream as a source of water supply, in order to obtain a detailed report as to cost, height and length of the dam required, material, condition of rock formation for foundation, and the quantity of water that could be conserved at various heights of the dam. “I maintain that, until this area :is properly surveyed, the gravitation system is condemned entirely on guess work. I inspected this area ir; conjunction with Mr Worley, who has been engaged by the Council to report on the water supply. We merely walked over the area and made a casual inspection and I was led to believe that he was more or less impressed with the idea of the gravitation scheme. “In connection with this matter the ratepayers are called upon to :foot a huge expenditure of money and to my mind it is only wise and proper to spend £2OO or £3OO for a thorough survey of the gravitation scheme, which has many advantages over the pumping system. This survey should be made by an ■entirely independent engineer. To rely absolutely on the report of one person without having it checked up by another qualified person .seems to me unwise, especially when large sums of money are involved. Advantages Tabulated “Advantages to be had from the gravitation scheme are (a) To reduce the cost of the recurring expense of pumping and maintenance of plant. ' (b) The pumping system can be held in order to meet any emerfency. (c) The present system has no alternative to meet any breakdown -which may occur. (d) The only expenditure to meet is the initial cost of the system, which is free from any likelihood of a breakdown. (e) Once established it would be free from constant care and watching, no repairs would be needed, and it would stand up to the test of time. (f) It would materially reduce the risk of flooding the low-lying areas of the Borough. ■Only “Half-Pied” Scheme “The proposition now submitted by the Council for approval is what I might be permitted to describe as -only “a half-pied’’ scheme which does not meet with 100 per cent support from the Department of Health, which requires the adoption of a filtering system. However, this Department has agreed.for the. Coun-

In furtherance of his consistent advocacy of gravitation as against pumping for Whakatane’s new water supply, Mr J. Creeke writes at length to the “Beacon” urging that, before the Borough Council goes ahead with the scheme it has in mind it should get a further professional opinion on the possibilities of an alternative supply by gravitation from the Wainui Te Whara stream.

cil to go on with the proposal on the strict understanding that it reserves the right to demand the installation of a filtering system, which means another £IB,OOO to complete the job. “I want it distinctly understood that I am fully prepared to support my colleagues on the - Council when a complete detailed and comprehensive report by another independent engineer on the gravitation system is obtained. This, to my mind, is a wise precautionary measure to ensure that the ratepayers are safeguarded against any mistakes being made such as have occurred in the past. “I am' only a layman, as mentioned in your article of July 14, but I maintain that I have the right to exercise ordinary common sense on this important matter. I have discussed gravitation systems with qualified engineers attached to the Sydney Water and Sewerage Board, also with engineers of the Wellington City Council and they are definitely of the opinion that where a gravitation system is possible the matter should be thoroughly investigated as to its possibilities, for adoption in lieu of the pumping system. Looking Backward “May I now touch on past experienves on this and other Municipal undertakings by this-Council which were recommended by' experts but have proved to be pure waste of public money, simply through lack of exercising ordinary common sense. (1) The hydro-electric undertaking which proved to be an outstanding waste of thousands of pounds. Although this installation has been dead for a number of years we are still saddled with the interest and sinking fund. “(2) Our present water supply also recommended by qualified experts. Perhaps the less said about it the better—the results are so well known to all ratepayers and others who are compelled to use and drink this dirty water. “(3) The height of the present reservoir is totally unnecessary—approximately 300 ft giving a pressure of 1301bs to the square inch, which is excesive for the quality of pipes in the mains which.- were frequently bursting under the pressure. It was found necessary to break down this pressure by installing what is known as a pressure reducing valve which now gives an approximate pressure of 601bs or equal to a height of 150 ft on ; the reservoiir. .In other words, that means that the pumps have to continue to lift water to the excessive height of 300 ft instead of 150 ft which throws unnecessary strain on them.”