PIPIROA WATER SUPPLY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4688, 16 April 1924, Page 3

PIPIROA WATER SUPPLY.

PARTICULARS OF THE SCHEME. Matters in connection with the establishment of a water supply for the north western portion of the Hauraki Plains are progressing steadily Tho committee appointed by the Comity Council have matters well in hand, and the scheme should be com--pleted in a year. A water supply for farm lands is a unique proposition and many difficulties are apparent. A referendum of the landholders was held for the purpose of fixing an area compatible with the requirements of the scheme from an engineering standpoint. The result has been the adoption of an area of about 17,000 acres of closely settled and easily reticulated land. It is that area west of the Piako River and bounded on the south by a line running from the Puhunga canal westward to the Pouartia road, thence north to the Rawerawe road and along it across the Maukoro Canal to the rear of the sections fronting the canal, thence north to and down the AVaitakaruru stream to the sea. Certain formalities will now have to be gone through to constitute this a water supply area. In the meantime Mr E. F. Adams, who has been appointed engineer for the scheme, wi’l prepare detailed plans and specifications and will call tenders for tho supply of the necessary materials. When the cost is known the ratepayers of the area will be asked to vo*c on a proposal to borrow tho. money.. Under the scheme the source of the supply will be the Waitakarurn Stream at a point above its junctio.l with the Mangatarata stream, where it-has been found by analysis to be suitable, with chlorination, for house - hold purposes. Possibly there will be a dam somewhere near here, and the intake will probably be a 9in. pipe, though an'open water-race has merits and will receive consideration. AH tho pipes will probably he of cast iron, it being known that this material will resist'chemical action better than steel. Little danger from this cause is anticipated, but the matter will receive consideration, as cast iron pipes in the .sizes required are cheaper than steel pipes. The reticulation will present few problems. The council will let the work by smalt contracts under the supervision ef Mr Adams and one or two overseers. As settlers are urgently requiring water arrangements could be made to test the pipe line in small sections and bring it into use without interfering with the general progress. Probably naif the area will be supplied bv January next. The reticulation rf farms will probably have to be carried cut by the farmers, but this matter will be well considered by the counci’, and its engineers to ensure that all are treated fairly. It is very unlikely that meters will be used except in exceptional cases, but ball cocks will be insisted upon. It is possible that the Council will consider indenting pipes as it is thought that a saving of from 50 to 100 per cent, can be effected. The cost of the whole scheme is of course not yet known. M>- E. F. Adams estimates that it will work out at about 8s per cow. The method of collecting this has not yet been decided upon. It hiay be >y way of a special rate or by means ;f a charge for the water, or even bv a combination of both. A rural water supply scheme is unique, and the council will have a ponderous task in making -an equitable allocation of the cost.