WELLINGTON'S WATER

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1930, Page 14

WELLINGTON'S WATER

SOURCES OF SUPPLY

Wellington and its water supplies, pasV present, and potential, formed the major subject for discussion at last night's meeting of the technological section of the Wellington Philosophical Society. The subject was introduced by ; Mr. G. A. Hart, City Engineer, who, to quite a good audience, read the first paper of the evening. He prefaced his remarks with some interesting notes on the main principles governing the law of water. After dealing with the history of Wellington's water supply schemes, he saia .that he estimated that a supply of not'less than 4* million gallons a day could be obtained from a combined development of both the Whakatikei and little' Akatarawa Streams, without the necessity'of constructing dams for storage, by the driving of a tunnel about 60: chains in length through tho ridge separating the two watersheds and by. diverting through the tunnel the minimum stream flow of the Little Akatarawa into the Whakatikei watershed.

"A flow of'4} million gallons a day, it is estimated, can be obtained, and this will be sufficient to provide for tho city's estimated requirements for fifteen years ahead. A scheme of this nature can be .further developed in two stages, commencing with the Whakitikei Stream when increased supplies are demanded. A gravitation scheme from this source would probably involve the provision of a 24in main and an expenditure of about £415,000 to deliver the water as far as Korokoro. Either the Whakatikei or Little Akatarawa development would probably be less expensive in initial capital outlay than any scheme whi«h could bo devised at present to bring water from the main Hutt Eiver, although probably any subsequent development beyond the 4i million gallons from the Whakatikei and Little Akatarawa l>y impoundago oi! water in these valleys, will bo more expensive than a second development on tliu main Hutt Biver scheme, as the main Hutt Kiver is capable of giving a supply of probably ten million gallons a-day without tho provision of any impounding reservoir." Ho added that the civic authorities were very much alive to tho whole question of future supplies.

A brief paper on tbo relation of forosts and water was then read by Mr. A.. N. Perham,. City Council Forestry Officer. He admitted that before any finality could be reached on the subject further research would have to be undertaken, and this view wad endorsed in the subsequent discussion by Dr. .13. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services.

A third paper was to have been delivered by Dr. T. M'Kibbin, Director of Public- Hygiene, on the necessity of p'uro water for health reasons, but owing to his sudden indisposition it was postponed.