Drummond's Water Scheme

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 50, 6 October 1887, Page 3

Drummond's Water Scheme

The following report from Mr Drumond was read at the last Borough Council meeting. The result of the discussion on the report will be found in the report of the Borough Council proceedings:— WATBH FOR STREET FCBFOSES ONLY, Assuming that the Council is desirous of acquiring a supply of water for street purposes only, during the dry season, a comparatively cheap scheme could be adopted by laying 6!n glared drain pipes from the Waikanae Bridge, sinking two wells, erecting two tanks, of a capacity of “,C2O gallons each, and the purchase of two force pumps, The eost of the above I estimate as fol-

Twelve weeks at £4 8s wotlld give a total Outlay of £52 16s forjthe season. Calculating the contract for watering the streets by contract at £l5O, and the total cost of the above scheme for capital invested and working expenses at £4OO, it would take 4 years to recoup the outlay. Instead of adopting any scheme or incurring any expense for street cleansing alone, I would suggest that it be incorporated with the scheme submitted to you by Mr Hawley with the following suggestions Ist. That the fire engine and shed be removed and re-ereeted on the Waikanae bridge (that is if a good and plentiful supply of fresh water can be obtained at a small outlay) and six-inch cast iron pipes laid, and two cisterns and stand-pipes erected, for street cleansing and other uses.

If this scheme is adopted any works completed would be utilised in any future general water supply. The probable cost of the above would be— Mr Hawley's estimate £726 0 0 Removing and re-erecting en-gine-house 65 0 0 Two cisterns and stand pipes, cisterns to contain 10,005 gallons each ... 150 0 0 Total 0.941 0 0

The saving effected would be the annual expense (say £150) for watering streets, against which wotlld be the cost of fuel for eng ne, and engineer’s wages, The engine could fill both cisterns in about one hour. In the event of the engine and shed being moved to the Waikanae the custodian’s dwelling house could also be removed, and the work carried out as at present. GENERAL SUPPLY. In addition to the above I would ask the Council’s consideration for the following scheme for a water supply for genera! purposes I would suggest that the upper portion of the Waikanae from the Giey-street Bridge to the town boundary be made available for a water supply, to be raised by sufficient pumping power. For this purpose I would close up the present bridge openings, and join the two embankments, which would form a storage reservior, capable of holding about 10 million gallons of water. Making provision for pumping power up to 800 gallons per niinute—2 miles of 6in mains, 4 miles 4in branch mains, duplicate filter beds, clean water tanks, 6 stand pipes, buildings, one acre of land to be purchased at Grey-street, 5000 feet of house service pipes, two centrifugal pumps, with the necessary supply of hydrants, cocks, valves, fire-plugs, air chambers, brlds, perforated tiles, and all fittings complete. I estimate the cost st from £6OOO to £6500.

I have taken the levels from the Greystreet bridge to the town boundary, and find that by having 3ft. 6in. depth of water at the embankment the water level would run out about ten chains beyond Lytton Road. That the water of the Waikanae is supplied from Springs there can be no doubt, and can be easily mads fit for domestic end household purposes. That the supply is ample, and can be drawn upon to the extent Of 200,000 gals. in the twelve hours, which is in excess of the daily requirements of a population of 3000 persons, with an allowance of 60gale. par day each. That the bed of the Waikanae is reasonably free from impurities and vegetable matter, and by an efficient process of filtration could be made perfectly sweet and wholesome. That the present surface road drains emptying into the reservoir would in no measure aft ot the quality of the water, as before emptying into the Waikanae filtration has in some measure taken plage. The above water supply would, I think, meSt the present requirements of the borgugb, and should a larger supply be necessary additional supplies eould be obtained beyond the line specified, and pumping apparatus—say by wind mills—could be erected at a small cost, The works could be completed in about four months. Should your Council entertain the scheme detailed drawings, specifications and estimates could be made out.

lows £. d. 1617 Sin glazed drain-pipes at 101 Is 3d Two cisterns, wood and iron, 1 3 7,000 gallons Two shafts for pump lifts, 120 0 0 3ftx3ft Two force pumps with lifts 46 0 0 complete 40 0 0 Total 307 1 3 Labor laying pipes 50 0 357 1 3 Provided the Council supply their own watsrcart, the weekly expenses woma be about— £. 8, d. Hire of horse and harness ,,, 1 5 0 Man to drive ... ... ... Man to fill cisterns ... ... 2 3 0 1 1 0 £4 8 0