THE WATER SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 222, 7 February 1913, Page 8

THE WATER SUPPLY.

MR. CLIMIE'S REPORT. Mr. Climie's report to the Borough Council on the recent shortage of water at the electric light works hag been received by. the Council. It is understood that it emphasises the fact that, aa matters stand at present, the construction of the much-discussed weir is not necessary at present. He reports that 450 h.p. of water, exclusive of the town water supply, is at present coming through the tunnel, and this should suffice all wants until the advent of a tramway scheme or a largely increased consumption of electricity by individual , consumers. The present turbine and «enerator which are running the present electric light system, absorb 400 h.p. jat maximum load, leaving a margin of 50 h.p. to come and go upon, without encroaching upon the town water supply. As a matter of fact it does not encroach even then. Referring to the recent trouble, Mr. CHmie states that the extra velocity suddenly placed as a test, absorbing 570 h.p. (considerably above the required maximum for the present service) brought through the tunnel a collection •of leaves and debris, which had the effect of blocking the screens and so preventing the water getting into the pipe. It will he remembered that in Mr. Fred. Black's report three years ago upon tho tramway scheme it was mentioned that "the tunnel is of ample size to carry several times its present maximum flow, and to effect this increase a weir is necessary. There is no occasion to fear a scouring effect upon the nnlined portion of the tunnel by doubling the present flow of water through it." Mr. Climie's latest report bears this out. At the present time the works are taking out from 400 to 450 h.p. from the river, which makes no appreciable difference to its flow. This would show that there is sufficient water in the river for the town's requirements for many years to come, and that the tunnel is capable of bringing a much greater supply to the electric light machinery and the town supply reservoir.