STRATFORD WATER SUPPLY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 61, 5 November 1912, Page 5

STRATFORD WATER SUPPLY.

MUCH A VITAL F i LTRATION DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL.

> A little over an hour was spent by the Borough Council last evening in discussing a further item to be included in the loan proposals--namely, the purification of our water supply. All the Councillors were present, with the exception of Councillor J. McAllister. After several reports hearing on the water supply had been read, tiie merits of mechanical filters were debated, the Mayor stating that possibly six or more of tiiese would be needed, the cost being approximately £2OOO.

Councillor King claimed that mechanical filters would not take away the mossy taste of the water, and that was the most objectionable feature of our water supply at the present time. Ho had taken particular notice of die water supplies of other towns —Auckland, Wellington, and Palmerston North—and he woiikl say that our water was very superior. Councillor Dingle: Hear, hear. “I think,” continued Councillor King, “that it is too much to spend £2OOO on a scheme which may not take the peaty taste out of the water. I admit that the discolouration may be removed, but then the discolouration is not injurious to health. The water has been analysed on various occasions and they have told us that it. is good drinking water and quite palatable. I don’t think it is wise to incur such a large expenditure on a work which is in the nature of an experiment.” Councillor Healy : 1 don’t think it is an experiment. Mechanical filters will certainly improve the taste of the wat-

The Mayor: CeVtainly it will improve it. Even if it does not take away the peaty taste, it will take away the Councillor Ward: Grit.

The Mayor; Yes; the grit. Councillor Dingle contended'that in his opinion the mossy taste would not bo removed by mechanical filters. The water had of late been considerably improved. When in Wellington the other day, he had found the water mere very muddy, indeed. Some of the dairy companies were using large filters, tut he did not know whether these had improved tlie taste of the water. Ho was very much of the same opinion as Councillor King, and thought it would bo a great pity to spend two thousand pounds on experimenting. As far as no could understand the trouble lay with the taste of the water, and this was not so noticeable in the winter as in the summer time. • It was an objectionable taste and could even be detected in tea. Somehow Stratford water in the summer time would not make good tear Councillor Morison asked that certain literature respecting the meclianical filters should be read, as he was inclined to the opinion that in these documents it was definitely stated that the filters would remove this peaty taste of which complaint had been made. Personally, he was in favour of doing something to purify and clean the water, which was at the present time in an objectionable state, and a sum of money should bo 'included in the loan proposals to accomplish! this very desirable end. He was not in favour of any one scheme, and was not prepared to spend as much as £2OOO. The Town Clerk stated that there was no definite statement in his possession to the effect that filters would remove the peaty taste. The Mayor remarked that a settling tank could not lie expected to remove the unpleasant taste. To his mind it was a very important matter that the water should be purified, but he quite agreed that a large sum of money should not be spent experimenting. They needed to be quite certain before a loan was raised, that they had the right system. Councillor Ward, reviewing previous attempts to make the water satisfactory, stated that the original tunnel system had proved an absolute failure. The next thing to do was to devise some means of filtering the water without going to a large expense in putting in more tunnels. Councillor King: Hear, hear. Continuing, Councillor Ward favoured getting further information. He understood that six filters would run into an expenditure of £2253, irrespective of the cost of installation. While on this subject, he would like to urge upon the Council the desirability of purchasing a few acres of land at the intake.

After further exhaustive discussion, Councillor Dingle brought down a motion. After referring to the valuable experience officials in the employ of - the New Plymouth Borough Council had obtained with regard to water supplies, he moved that the Mayor, Councillors Heaiy and King he a sub-committee to visit Now Plymouth —also to obtain further informatio i from Feilding and Palmerston North, where mechanical filters have been installed. The motion was carried, and the Council rose.