DAM BREAKS AWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1920, Page 3

DAM BREAKS AWAY

CUTS WATER SUPPLY. [PEH PKKBB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT. TK AWAMUTU, his Day. A disastrous Hood occurred at Mount Pirongia, carrying away the dam for the borough water supply, system, and seven out of eight pipes and bridges between the dam and tlie reservoir, which is 14 miles distant. The supply was maintained until Sunday at mid-day, when tlie decreasing pressure resulted in an ispection. ■ By this time the water in the reservoir was exhausted, and the town supply was cut off. The Borough Council has engaged special gangs in addition to the regular staff, but several days must elapse before the supply is even temporarily restored. The service had been installed six years ago. The intake dam is 20 feet wide, by 18 feet, and is contracted of reinforced concrete. This has broken, and the valve chamber carried away. The rush of water at this point cut out a fresh channel, and the stream is not now flowing into the intake. All the huge concrete pillars, carrying bridges, were carried many chains down the stream, and debris of All sorts was thrown high up the banks. The stream altered its course at several places, and the, whole of three miles of pipe line through the mountainous country is demolished. The town is without water, except for tanks mounted on lorries, which make deliveries from door to door,