WATER PRESSURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1922, Page 5

WATER PRESSURE.

FIRE BOARD COMPLAIN. POSITION AT NEW PLYMOUTH. The question of the water pressure in New Plymouth was the subject of a letter read at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth sorough Council. The secretary of the Fire Board, Mr. L. M. Monteath, wrote under date March 4: “With reference £o the pressure of water of late in this town, our superintendent reports that this has varied considerably the past rtionth, our guage reading as low as «M) lbs. on last at 10.40 a.m. This is not the lowest reading observed. My board trust that the cause of the variations may be rectified, as it may be a serious matter for the town if a large fire were to occur.” The engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook) reported: “During the hot spell of weather the pressure on the mains fell considerably at this office, from 15 to 251bs. less. per square inch being quite usual for some hours each day. This must bd the case if the public is to enjoy the lavish use of water as has been the case for years past.” Continuing, the engineer said it was not possible to rectify the variation of pressure without having some mean? of control. With the growth of population and trade users the reticulation, or a portion of it, was becoming overtaxed. With the cessation of the hot weather the pressure again tended to become normal.”

After the letter had been read it was stated that the sudden drop in the pressure may have been the result of the opening of the four-inch main at the baths in order to assist in filling the baths on the occasion of some recent swimming sports. The matter was therefore referred to the baths committee to investigate.