WATER FOR NORTH SHORE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 172, 11 October 1927, Page 14

WATER FOR NORTH SHORE

LOCAL BODIES CONFER WAITAKERE SCHEME APPROVED Although the room was covered with figured-texts in proof of the advantage of a Waitakere water supply for North Shore, the conference of the marine boroughs; did not unanimously approve of the scheme last night. After the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. E. Aldridge, had combined a motion and an amendment in the interests of unity and added the words “pro tern” and “or disapproval” the following motion was carried by 15 votes to 9: “That this meeting, recognising the urgent necessity of tne provision of an adequate and pure water supply for the northern boroughs, expresses its approval pro tem of the Water Board’s proposal to proceed with the Waitakere project as a major scheme, but desires that all figures of the cost to each borough be fully investigated for submission to each borough council, and a further combined meeting for its approval or disapproval.’’ The Waitakere scheme, which is estimated to cost £238,000, consists in the laying of an 18-inch pipe-line from the city council’s filters to North Shore and the purchasing of filtered water at 6d a thousand gallons. MAJOR SCHEME ADVISED Mr. Aldridge, who presided, said that the Water Commission had recommended that a major scheme should be undertaken to supply North Shore with water, in addition to the Lake Pukuhe supply. In order to obtain an abundant and pure water supply, he continued, several schemes had been suggested. The diversion of the Wairau River into the lake had been condemned oy the Health Department. There remained two

major schemes, Rangitopuni, costing £260,000, and the Waitakere, costing £238,000. If the board decide:! to do nothing it would be faced with the risk of water shortage, and possible saline contamination. LAKE NOT SUFFICIENT Mr. F. E. Powell, the Water Board’s engineer, explained the Bower and Upper Wairau, Oteha, Okura, Rangitopuni and Waitakere schemes. The lake, he said, could no longer meet the needs of the four boroughs. He was convinced it would pay far better to draw the whole supply from Waitakere, keeping the lake only as a standby in the event of a breakdown. This would allow of building on the lake basin. The City Council had offered to sell the Waitakere water at 6d, which was a sound and fair price. The 18-inch pipe-line could be completed in two years, and it would be capable of supplying North Shore until 1940. If Lake Pupuke was regarded as an emergency supply, there would be a bigger volume and better water provided the houses were properly sewered. Mr. Aldridge said that the conservation of the lake basin would cost £200,000, and that £99,000 would have to be spent to purchase property if the lake supply was continued on its own. The amalgamation of the separate pumping plants of the boroughs would cost £7,900. The board would be able to sell water all along the Waitakere pipe-line and that supply would meet requirements for 40 years. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the City Council’s water supply committee, said that, acting on the commission’s advice, the council had decided to accept the responsibility of supplying other bodies with water. It would not take up an arbitrary attitude about the price. Hr. H. Chesson, Medical Officer of Health, said that the supply of Lake Pupuke was diminishing, and the purifying of the water would be costly. Both the Wairau and the Rangitopunu waters were from low land areas, and consequently not as healthful as the Waitakere. In answer to a question, Mr. Allum said that the City Council would be able to supply 2,000,000 gallons a day at present, and 4,500,000 gallons at a future date, which would be before North Shore would need the water. There would be no increase in the price of 6d a thousand gallons until 1940, at any rate. A suggestion was made that North Shore should link up with a metropolitan water board to save expense. Mr. Aldridge: We will still have to pay our obligations. Opposition to a motion approving of the Waitakere scheme came from several members. Messrs. A. E. Greenslade, F. Wilson and P. J. Ryan objected to committing themselves until the figures; were properly audited and the costs could be compared.