WATER AND DRAINAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2479, 12 September 1922, Page 3

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. At last night’s Council meeting the Borough Engineer reported as follows: Water Supnly. —The contractors for the erection of the tower came up during the month and completed their work. When the top tank was first filled it showed up several small leaks. The tanks' were then emptied, and tlje bottom tank was cement washed, and the top tank received a special coat'of ]>laster, at the contractor’s, expense, and since then they have both been filled for the necessary ten days, and the whole work with two very minor exceptions has fulfilled the contract conditions. It has been arranged that these-two small jobs be done by Mr Neville,, and cost of so doing be deducted from the final payment due to the contractor. Two of the joints in the delivery pipe require extra caulking, and the recording device needs to be erected in position.

When pumping was in progress it was found that the engine and pump were quite capable of doing all the work necessary. The only fault at that end being the shortage of water. .It was found that the vacuum made in the collecting tank allowed the natural gas to be released from the water, and this gas expanding had a detrimental effect on the flow from the wells. Again, it seems probable that a good deal of sand may have lodged in the connecting pipes. However it is our intention to go thoroughly into this matter during the month, and it is hoped considerable improvement can be effected.

There is still one well to be connected up and we have arranged to do this work at the same time as the outfall from the septic tank is laid. The spraying gear supplied by Messrs Holben and Kirk has proved most satisfactory, the spray in the bottom tank threw the ■ water from sixteen to eighteen feet high. The sprays in the top tank are not yet properly connected, as it was found necessary to send away for a special piece of pipe, which will do away with all the back-pressure on the pumps. IY]e have arranged with Mr Hunt to make louvres for the openings in the lower tank, and he now has this work in hand. We understand that the foui- inch cast iron mains are expected to arrive in Wellington about the fifteenth instant. We have prepared a specification for calling tenders for carting these pipes on to the streets. The approximate total weight is 3.10 . tons. A start to lay these pipes could be made about three weeks after they arrive, and given fine weather the whole of them should be laid before the middle of December, so that by New Year most householders can he connected to the water service if they so desire. It will be necessary to purchase about 2,500 feet of half-inch pipe for service connections, also about 150 bends with back nuts, for making connections to 4-inch main. As several ratepayers have expressed a wish to have i'-inch connections we will be glad to have your Council’s instructions concerning same. In connection with the water supply, we beg to suggest that Mr Nevillle. be appointed to take charge of the pump house and plant, also that he he employed to make all the house connections from the fourinch main. It gives us much pleasure to recommend Mr Neville for this work, as he has proved himself to be a most capable and conscientious worker, and it would not be possible to find a man more suitable for the position.

.Drainage Works. —Mr Read has been engaged laying the sewer in Russell Street. Progress has been somewhat slow as the cut has been fairly deep, and a good deal of water has been met with. About twelve men ha’tfe* been employed on this work, there being not enough timber to allow more on the job. We have previously suggested that Mr Read should do the work of laying water mains and we suggest that work on the sewers be closed down for the six or eight weeks that it will take for laying these mains. This will allow’ all ava i ilahle men to be employed at this latter work, and as the summer is approaching we think the water supply is the most important.

Now that soon connections will be made to sewers we advise that sample gully and buchan traps be deposited in the Council office, also samples of pipes, and that no connections should be passed unless these articles come up to the grade of the samples.

We are arranging that the work of laying the outfall from the septic tank shall be done in December, until then drainage from any connections can be run into the tank, and can be pumped out on a falling tide. Or. Whibley: Is the pumping from bores that-is being done at present, detrimental to them? The Mayor said that an unforeseen thing had happened in the matter of natural gas. Mr Climie had now made provision to elimnate this nuisance by inserting a two-ineh. escape pipe. Cr. Wihibley: You will still be pumping from the bores. The Mayor said that they were not sucking from the bores as the natural flow is plentiful enough to produce sufficient , water without suction. The Mayor said that he was not satisfied with the progress of the sewer laying. He did not mean to cast any reflections on the gang, but the water was too plentiful now'. He was of opinion that the water mains should be gone on with instead. The report was then adopted.

A letter was received from Messrs Riley and Co., stating that the pipes and fittings for the Borough were shipped per s 4 s. Dorset and this vessel is to arrive on the 15th. inst.

It was decided to invite tenders for tlie carting of the pipes to the various streets. Tenders to close on the 15th and to he considered by I lie Water and Drainage committee tv• I h power to accept or otherwise. HOUSE CONNECTIONS. Many residents are under the impression that the Borough Council will notify them when to instal the water and drainage service pipes, hut it should be pointed out that the notice to be served by the Borough Council will be of a mandatory nature stating a given time by which the work must be carried out. Steps are being taken to raise a loan of £2,500 for the purpose of assisting the owners of house property to connect, their premises to the public sewers, but this money cannot be advanced for water connections, and it is likely that the loan for sewer connections will be advanced in cases where there is no need for financial assistance. It is well, therefore, at this early stage that the owners through whose properties the sewers have been laid, or along whose boundaries the water mains are laid, should seriously consider taking steps to have the house connections put in at once so as to be ready to make full use of the public utility soon to be available.

Before commencing any work owners should make written application to the Borough Council on the forms provided at the Town Clerk’s office, accompanied by a plan of the proposed work when, on payment of a small fee for inspection, a permit will lie issued for (he work to he put in hand. After the work has been done the pipes will lie inspected and if in order the work will he passed.