SIX WEEKS’ WATER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 13

SIX WEEKS’ WATER

DAMS RUNNING LOW ECONOMY WANTED THE FUTURE POSITION Had it not been for the foresight of the Water Committee of the City Council, the various dams in the Waitakeres would now have been practically empty. As it is, the latest returns show that there remains but six weeks’ supply of water at the present rate of consumption. With no rain expected before the end of March, the position is causing considerable anxiety, and the probable result will be the imposition of more; and more restrictions as the dry weather continues.

The early step of pumping from Western Springs, and the institution of restrictions, have in all saved the city reservoirs by some 220,000,000 gallons. Had this amount been drawn from storage, the dams would now have been closed down, so far as the ordinary supply of the city is concerned. Of the saving, 136,000,000 gallons have been drawn from the notorious Western Springs—so far without any effect on the good health of the community. The analysis each week shows that the water is pure. The level of the water has fallen slightly, but not sufficiently to cause alarm. Meantime, the 70,000,000 gallons have gradually been drained from the Nihotupu auxiliary dam in the Waitakeres, and used to maintain the main Nihotupu supply. The auxiliary is now empty of storage water, but a certain amount is flowing from the various creeks through the dam and down the valley to the larger dam. THE SAWDUST BEDS

Some of this flows past the old sawdust beds, which have been commented upon several times lately. “Tho position regarding sawdust if no different from what it has beer during the past 27 years,” stated Councillor Allum this morning. “Unless you went looking for it at Nihotupu you would never know it was there. The regular analysis shows that the water is pure and clear, and citizens can safely ignore any attempts to discredit the water supply from this source, and place their faith in the acknowledged experts who are con-

tinually watching the condition.” Asked concerning possible further restrictions, Councillor Allum said the object was to put off the day when there would be little water left as long as possible, and as the drought continued there would be further restrictions, covering industrial and domestic use, market gardens, hydraulic lifts, lavatories, and general conveniences.

The council, as representing the people, and wishing to do the best under the circumstances, sincerely hopes that the people will cut waste down to the absolute minimum, especially in tho way of eliminating running water, and extensive use of califonts and hot-water systems. MINIMUM STORAGE

It is not proposed, whatever happens, to allow the reservoirs to run dry, it being considered absolutely essential that a minimum storage should be decided on and maintained. In no case will the beds of the reservoirs be allowed to become dry, Ihe outlets being some distance above the beds. In addition, a certain amount of water will be kept above the outlets. At present Western Springs and running water in the Waitakeres are supplying about four million gallons daily between them, and under the worst conditions about this amount of water is expected to be available. It is about half the amount being used daily in Auckland at present. At the most, the city cannot obtain more than 200,000 gallons daily from Onehunga springrs. but the Water Committee is watching every prospect in case of absolute emergency.