WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

Shannon News, 25 August 1922, Page 3

WATER SUPPLY SCHEME.

ENGINEER REPORTS. At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Borough Council, the Engineer (Mr R. Edwards) submitted a final report on a water supply scheme for Shannon. in it he stated it would not, be necessary to make any lengthy reference to possible sources of supply previously investigated, as he Was perfectly satisfied the supply obtained at the powerhouse is immeasurably superior to all other possible sources and will provide an almost unlimited quantity of first-class water, at a sufficient elevation to provide a good working pressure. There are, however, two ways of .securing water from this source, firstly by gravitation alone, and secondly by gravitation and pumping.

In the latter case the service main will be laid along the side of the Shannon East Road, from the pumping machinery to the town.

In the gravitation scheme, the »er vice main will be laid on private property.

In the pumping scheme I propose to lilt the water 60ft t 9 a reservoir built close to the headworks.

The pump, will he electrically driven. Although I am finable to get the > exact charge per unit for power purposes, I have obtained sufficient data to say that the charge will be very slight and economic. As stated in a previous report, and , now shown in a longitudinal section of the selected pipe track from the proposed site ol

the reservoir to Grand Street, a line well under the virtual declivity has been secured. The foregoing hydraulic truth will insure the full delivering capacity of the pipe on the grade

available, and maintain the maximum pressure due to the given head of water. I propose to take the supply of water from the concrete conduit immediately beneath the power hmse in steel Bin pipes to the concrete reservoir situated 30 chains, more or ' less, down-stream, which is to be sunk partially in the ground on part

section, and from the reservoir iq the corner of Stout and Grand Streets in an Bin steel pipe. From there to be distributed as per plan of reticulation in the various streets. This pipe will deliver 754,128 gallons of water per diem. It will at once be seen that uie amount of water is very much greater than the inhabitants of Shannon could ever use for many years to come. In his qpinion, a. big margin of water is always the most satisfactory. Firstly,

in case of fire, an efficient pressure is maintained; secondly, the long lengths of small reticulation pipes to the higher levels will be more satisfactory and economical.

RESERVOIR. There is to be a concrete reservoir roofed in with corrugated iron. The* general dimensions are to be 60 by (0 by 16 deep, provided with a 3ft midwall, all the necessary valves for supply, stops, scouring and overflow. About two square acres of land will be required for a reservoir site, as the site will be alongside of the Shannon s East Road, ' access is thus secured. The reservoir will have a capacity of approximately 336,000 gallons. The pressure of water at the corner of Thompson and Bryce Streets will b« 771 b to the square inch. The Engineer estimates the total cost of the gravitation scheme at £12,953 14/3, which amount includes first half-year interest on the /loan and all other incidental charges. During the discussion that followed the Engineer - informed the Council that the water will be perfectly good and unlimited in supply. Cr. Murray thought it was a lot oi money to spend without getting sewerage, and he did J not think it was going to improve matters from a health point. |

The Engineer: A good supply of water will improve conditions a lot. He stated the usual custom was to get the water first. Cr. Murray suggested taking the two proposals together.

Cr. Hyde agreed with Cr. Murray’s idea, but pointed out that some of the streets could not take sewerage. It could only be carried out in certain streets. He pointed out that many small industries and works require more than tank water, and it 'had come under his notice that industries had been barred from Shannon owing to want of high pressure.

The Engineer: The scattered nature of the borough would make the cost of sewerage a big item. Cr. Fargher: If the sewerage matter was dropped, later on as small areas became congested it could be gone on with in a small way.

Cr Butt: HoW long will it take to complete the work?

The Engineer: Eight or nine months. In reply to a question, the Engineer said this was The scheme he preferred. He had gone into all the others fully. After further discussion it was decided, on the motion of Cr. Murray, seconded by Cr. Butt, that the question be held over until next- meeting, when it will be further discussed.