WATER AND DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2240, 17 February 1921, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE SCHEME.

ENGINEERS’ REPORT TO COUNCIL.

The following is the full text of the reports submitted to the Borough Council by the engineers, Messrs Climie and Son, on Monday night:— SEWERS. “The pegging and levelling of the sewer lines is now practically completed. This work has taken much longer than we anticipated, owing to the obstructions met with on back section lines. It will take another two months to make complete detail plans of the whole system, and another month will be required to receive tenders. A contractor could not, therefore, make a start on the trenching till mid-winter. It will he necessary to start first on the outfall sewer, 'so as to provide'an outlet for the subsoil water that will percolate into the trenches. The amount of water that would have to be contended with in these deep trenches during the winter and spring months will make the work unduly expensive, and on that account we consider a start, on the sewers could not be made till about next Christmas under the* contract system.

“At the present time it is difficult to get contractors' to tender for work of this nature, and any tenders received will he high owing to the large sums included to cover contingencies. We consider, therefore, that under a competent foreman experienced in this class of work the sewer trenches could be excavated at a considerably lower cost under the ‘day labour system. Work could be commenced next month, as in this case it is necessary to prepare only detail plans of the outfall sewer before operations are begun. The other plans can be provided as the work progresses.

“If the outfall sewer is finished before tho winter, work on the shallower sewers could be continued throughout the winter.

“The sewerage system will take Iwo years to complete, and we consider that a start Should'he made on it at once, so that the water supply may he utilised as early as possible for all purposes. With this object we have given most of our attention so far to the sewerage scheme.

“A foreman of works is available who has carried out under our supervision similar schemes by day labour at less cosl than the lowest tender received. We would certainly prefer to obtain tenders in this scheme also, for even if not accepted they provide a basis of comparison with the cost under the day labour system. This satisfaction will have to be foregone unless your Council is prepared to delay the work for a season.

“Our recommendation as regards carrying out the work by day labour applies only at the present tjuie lo (he sewers. For such works as the septic tank, low-level reservoir, water-tower, laying of water-mains, etc., tenders could he called as soon as possible. SEWER PIPES.

“Should your Council consider it the better policy to postpone the laying of the sewers, it will he unnecessary to accept any tender for the sewer pipes at the present lime.

“As regards concrete pipes, we have no doubt of their suitability for sewers if made to comply with the requirements of our specification. ARTESIAN BORES. “At the present time there is no 3- drive pipe obtainable. As this is the size we specified, no tenders were received for the bores. Both 4- and 2-inch pipe, however, L obtainable. Tests will be made at once to determine the relative flows from the 3-inch and 4-inch bores existing in the neighbourhood of the town with the purpose of ascertaining whether it is advisable to use a 4- pipe. Usually the shingle is not. sufficiently pervious to supply more than a 3-inch pipe. SITE FOR TANKS.

“As directed, we hand you herewith a plan showing our proposals as regards the site of septic tank and low level water-supply' reservoir, also the amount of foreshore required to be leased from (lie Harbour Board. These areas are shown shaded pink on the plan. One strip of land is required for carrying the effluent pipe from high to low water mark, and another strip along highwater mark is required on which to place artesian wells and connecting pipes. Should these areas meet with the approval of your Council, we shall be glad of instructions to prepare the necessary lease plan. “We find that high-water mark extends, right up to the toe of the bank, and to construct a low-level reservoir close to the river will involve either an extensive cutting 01 an encroachment on land controlled by the Harbour Board. We therefore recommend that this reservoir be constructed at the cud of Union Street, approximately where shown on the plan. This reservoir will be entirely of reinforced concrete, with a flat roof of the same material, at an elevation well above high flood mark, and on which will be built the pump-house. It is proposed to build a temporary engine house on the roadside above this reservoir. ( REPORT RE OBJECTIONS TO PASSAGE OF, SEWERS THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTY. “(A). A. Fraser, Lady’s Mile. — (1) If there are sufficient reasons for departure from the road, such departure is advisable. V e hold there are sufficient reasons in this case. (2) There is certainly a real necessity if all the houses iu Lady’s

Mile are to be drained into the Septic tank at a reasonable and practicable level; putting the sewer in the street would mean that it would need to be sft. deeper. (3) We cer-taihly-consider sec. 211 of the M.C. Act applies to sewers (see see. 208). (4) In what would the substantial damage and inconvenience consist? Proposed drain route runs across an open grassed paddpek. (5) No answer required. (0) The only connections would be from houses built upon the open land in question, and these would require to be connected if "the sewer were in Lady’s Mile. (7) The line of sewer is at such a distance from Lady’s Aide that houses built fronting the Mile would he placed up to one chain in front, of sewer. In any case, there is nothing to prevent the erection of a building over the sewer.

“(B.) Garnet Fraser. — Sewer does not now' traverse property.

“(C.) Airs H. Bullard, Avenue. — After repeated trial lines, the line that was most suitable was adopted. We regret the cutting of the "lawn, but it is quite possible to make the damage entirely good.”