FAILURE OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9048, 6 February 1908, Page 5

FAILURE OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

INTAKE BLOCKED BY DEBRIS. UNEASINESS AND INCONVENIENCE. Something of a scare was caused in Masterton late yesterday afternoon when it was discovered that the pressure of water in the taps in the town had fallen very low, and was gradt ually sinking. The occurrence was * first noticed shortly before 5 o'clock, when the captain of the Fire Brigade on going into the Central Fire Station observed that the gauge only registered a pressure of 15lbs to the square inch. A regular wat:h was then kept in the gauge, and the pressure dwindled down as low as slbs. The Borough Turncock (Mr C, McDougall) when he saw the seriousness of the position, made a hasty visit to the intake to enquire the cause of the shortage. He found that all round the intake debris composed of leaves, dry grass, etc., blown down by the wind, had accumulated at the intake, and completely blocked the inflow of water into the main leading to the reservoir. This matter was immediately cleared away, and the flow of water was resumed. Mr McDougall stated that there , was plenty of water coming into the reservoir when the dry vegetation had been • cleared away, but as the temporary blockage had practically emptied the * town mains, it- would take some \ time before these were again filled, and the pressure restored to its normal strength. The temporary cutting off of the water, however, caused much uneasiness as well as inconvenience in the town. In case of an alarm of Are the captain of the Fire Brigade took the precaution to get steam up in the Jubilee engine, and the ropes placed on the firebell, which could not be worked by its ordinary water - power. A large number of firemen also remained about the station in case of an outbreak of fire, as if this had occurred with the pressure of water down to zero the consequences would have boen serious beyond estimation. At midnight the pressure had reached 251bs, and was gradually increasing. The firemen then retired from duty.