Letters to the Editor

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 64, 8 December 1937, Page 7

Letters to the Editor

H. A.

McLEAN.

Artesian Water Supply Not Menaced

Sir? — At a recent meeting of the Chaniber of Commerce some concern ivas expressed regarding the future of the Heretaunga artesian water supplies, and some form of control was siiggested. For the information of anyone interested, I would mention that this 'matter has already been investigated to some extent by the officere engaged on the soil survey, and also in conjunction with this survey a special investigation regarding artesian water was \undertaken by Mr Ongly of the geological survey. No doubt his report is now available. The fear that the supply could possibly be overtaxed by large-diameter wells is not founded on any reliable data, and can be deflnitely set at rest by an inspection of the many localities v/here the artesian water is to be seen escaping in the form of natural springs. The Moteo land near Fernhill is a good example. There some twenty million gallons escapes daily. The Awanui stream from Greenhill to Pakipaki represents another considerable loss. Similar springs are in evidence all round the margin of this plain, and also in central positions, at Raupare, and near Farndon. They constitute a menace and the land-owners in these instances would be only too pleased to see these outlets brought under control (if anyone knows how). All these springs (there are many more not listed here) aggregate daily many million gallons of water in excess of tne quantity obtained from artesian wells. There is another loss of water from tho artesian supply, caused by leakage from the artesian beds to low-pressure strata near the surface, and thus escaping into rivers and the sea without being observed. The main supply of artesian water seems to come from the Ngaruroro river at Roy's Hill. The artesian wells liore respond quickly to any flooding in that river, and there exists geological evidence at that point to support the theory. The wells are also affected by the tides amounting to three feet at Haumoana and Awatoto^ and about two inches at Hastings west of Heretaunga street. This seems to indicate that considerable quantities of fresh artesian water are escaping below sea-level. It is not improbable that the diverting and banking of the rivers now in progress will in time tend to increase the pressure in the wells, on account of all the flood silt being earri,ed to the sea-floor, and thus assisting further to close the outlets undersea. That the artesian water is escaping at a fast rate, and at the same time being copiously replenished from its source ls indicated by the purity of this water supply. The strata which conveys and stores the Heretaunga artesian water is kept well supplied and filled fo capacity, and should keep us well served without Government irssistauce! There are, however, many instances of broken and decayed wells out of control, which could with advantage to farming practice be shut down for all time. — Yours, etc,,

Hastings, Dec. 9, 1937.