THE WATER SUPPLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3800, 29 April 1875, Page 2

THE WATER SUPPLY.

At the City Council meeting, last night, two reports from the Water Committee were read. In the first it was recommended that the upper reservoir should be deepened at a cost estimated in tbe report of the engineer, dated Feb. 18 last, the work to be undertaken forthwith ; and that notice should be given that all existing agreements for special supplies of water would be terminated on September 30 next, and that all renewed or new arrangements are to be terminable at any time on a week’s notice, at the discretion of the Council. The second report recommended—

In view of the prevailing dry weather and the low supply of water at the Waterworks at the present tune, that os from and after April 30 the public supply of water will nnly be available between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5,a.m.; and that during all other hours the water will bo turned off at headquarters, this limitation to continue so long as the committee think it necessary.

In moving the adoption of the report, Cr. Fkh (ohaiiman ot the committee) said the Water Committee had refrained as long as possible from recommending the course they had, not wishing to restrict the supply if there was a reasonable chance of it continuing. But it was now absolutely necessary, that the supply of water should be cut off during the hours stated; by doing so the citizens would get water during the night, for domestic purposes. The necessity for this was obvious, when there were only fifteen and a-half feet of water in the water tower. If the water was allowed to gather during the day. the present supply would be maintained. It was thought better to have the water in the pipes during the-night, as in case of fire there would be a tolerable pressure. One reason for fixing the hour so late at night and early in the morning was that the supply now needed exclusively for domestic purposes should not be wasted by machines. Steps were being taken for taming water from the . Leith into the pipe, and water-caits were being sent round the hilly part of the town daily, each household receiving two bucketfuls if required. The recommendations of the committee Were adopted. -