SHORTAGE OF WATER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 103, 25 January 1935, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF WATER

Trouble at Featherston BATHS TO BE AVOIDED Dominion Special Service. Featherston, January 24. Great anxiety is being caused by an extreme shortage of water in Featherston, following on drought, conditions which have prevailed in the district ■for the past two or three months. The situation is gaining such a serious aspect that residents are being asked to forgo baths in an endeavour to sustain the supply as long as possible. Had no measures been taken there would by now have been barely sufficient water to supply the needs of residents for drinking purposes. Restrictions on the use of water loi other than domestic purposes have been strictly enforced since the beginning of December, but even despite that the absence of rain has resulted in the water supply dwindling to a dangerously low level. At present there is just a bare trickle of water flowing into the-reser-voir, but the consumption is greater than the supply from this source. An auxiliary supply is being drawn from a well off Hickson Street, but until today it was only possible to pump this for about two hours at a time before the available water was drawn out.. The pump then had to be switched off and the well allowed to till again. The authorities have been doing their utmost to conserve the supply from this source as much as possible. They have now deepened the well by about font feet, with the result that late this afternoon there was a noticeable improvement on the pressure. The position would be particularly serious in the event of an outbreak of lire as the pressure is insufficient to be of any appreciable value.

From appearances it is raining in the 1 ranges to-day. If that is so, it is likely that the position will be relieved, at least, temporarily. Two or three light showers of rain fell in Featherston itself to-day, but these were insufliei- • ently heavy to make any difference to the supply. DAIRY OUTPUT FALLS Rongotea Tanks Failing Dominion Special Service. North, January 24. As a result of the protracted period of dry weather, the output of the Rongotea Dairy Company shows a decrease of half a ton a day compared with last year’s figures. On to-day’s advances this is estimated to mean a loss of £l2OO to suppliers for the month. Many farmers are reported to be feeding immature turnips and maize to their stock in an effort to maintain production. . Tanks and wells in the district are commencing to fail, and should the drought continue much longer the provision of water for household purposes and the requirements of stopk will become a serious consideration.