TAIHAPE’S WATER SUPPLY.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 September 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE’S WATER SUPPLY.

UTILISING A CATCHMENT AREA At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening a report with regard to utilising the catchment area j contiguous "to the reservoir was brought down by Mr Maben, Electrical Engineer to the Council, The report stated: I hereby submit a report with approximate estimates on the proposal to fence a small catchment area approximately 25 yards square about 150 yards south-west of our present reservoir. In thig particular gully there is a spring and tributaries which measured to-day is yielding roughly 500 gallons per hour, and by building a retaining wall preferably in concrete this water could be conserved and by mean s of an lin. G. iron pipe bo led into the reservoir, as there is a fall of at least 12 feet into same. In considering the advisability of going on with this proposal it must be remembered that at present time it is without, doubt at its maximum flow, and later on although the main spring may still bo running, the natural drainage of the surrounding ground will in a very short time be exhausted, and probably the gallons per hour will fall considerably and remain constant (says at 150 gallons per hour) or 3600 gallons per day as against 12,000 gallons now. An 3 this amount will not be augmented excepting in rainy weather; on this assumption in ordinary seasons one would only get 3600 gallons from say December to April, and this is only one hours pumping of the high lift pump. The approximate cost I estimate as follows. —20 yards 9 inch reinforced concrete wall 6 feet in centre falling away to 1 foot each side, in eluding labour, boxing, etc. £35; 150 •yards lin. G. iorn piping £22 10/; 1 Labour, cartage, etc. £18; Contin gencies £5; total £BO 10/. The consumption of water is in the neighbourhood of 45,000 gallons per day. If the flow could be maintained at 12,000 gallons a day as at present for the whole year, I think the proposal is on? wed worth consideration, but in giving you the minimum flow at 150 gallons per hour, I have been informed that it was measured some summers ago and found to yield that quantity. A cheaper scheme and one that would be more easily put in was by placing a large iron tank or coupling tanks together and leading a pipe from these into the reservoir, this suggestion was given me by Cr. Eteveneaux, This of course would be only a temporary and chick means of availing ourselves of this supplementary supply to our existing high lift pump service. Estimated cost £45.

Cr. Cunninghame said it was a vex-V little scheme, but would be a. big help. and would soon save its cost. He would like \to see 2-inch piping used. which would bring the cost of the 150 yards of piping up to £35.

Cr. Reid thought it was Worth whi“:P for the Council to go on with it. The Council could test the scheme by the expen(Il1;11-e of £45 and see if it was advisable to go on with the concrete. plan. é

The report was adopted after some further discussion.