Council Discusses Water Shortage

Chronicle (Levin), 21 January 1949, Page 2

Council Discusses Water Shortage

At Wednesday 's meetirig of the Otaki Bofough Council, in' support r of the recommendation from the ■ works committee that a drain digger be hire'd for a week for work at th'e reservoir, Cr. H. W. Hakaraia drew attention to the shortage of water th'roughout the 'borough. He asked for permission ■ "to get on with the job; the quicker the better." Cr. J: Retter, in supporting the hire of the digger, advised that the position at the filterhouse was serious. Cr. E. J. Cook reported that Mr. C. Sharp, superintendent of the Otaki VOlunteer Fire Brigade, had indicated to ' him that the brigade was alarmed at the extremely low pressure of water available. Cr. Cook ha-d asked for a test to be made and at 11.30 a.m. there was a mere 20 lbs. pressure at Tasman Beach, near the Children's Health Camp corner. Cr. Cook offered the opinion of Mr. Sharp that pressure pumps and a well at the beach would help in boosting the supply.Cr. Retter said that the works " committee, was ahxious to have the work done at the reservoir, as there was insufficient water in the tank to flU 'the mains; "There is four inches less water in the tank than there should be," added the speaker. Cr. N. B. Anderson supporte'd the suggestion of a booster pump atthe beach, to which Cr. Hakaraia replied that it was the opinion of the consulting engineer that the mains j would hold a f ar greater pressure if | the contemplated drain was dug, enabling the reservoir tank to be filled. ■It was agreed that a further test be made in conjunction with the superintendent. of the brigade in the near future when the tanks are full. Drastic Action The continual low pressure of water at the beaches and the resulting 'disadvantages and possifr'e seriou's fepercussions in.- the event of 'a large fire;were also discussed. Coiihcillors- express.ed the- opinion i that the ,restrictions were .notj servere ■ enough, but- that , tiiey should be'tigidly enforcea, ,especially ih the summer months,-. r • It was pointed out that owneis J of glass houses were heavy users at the present time, while Chinese ,

and other market gardeners openly defied the regulations. • It was decided that authority be given an employee . of the council to rnake periodical inspections, commencing on Tuesday, and that the supply .to persons.not.complying- with the regulations ,.be .disconnected. An- adver tisement setting out.the position. appears in the advertising columns.'.' " .