THE TOWN WATER SUPPLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9670, 8 December 1909, Page 5

THE TOWN WATER SUPPLY.

BOROUGH ENGINEER'S REPORT.

INTERESTING REMARKS. At the meeting of the Borough Council, last evening, an interesting report from Mr W. T. Mansfield | (Borough Engineer) was submitted from the Works and Finance C»mmittee on the town water supply. As a result of the report the Committee recommended that the Borough Engineer be directed to outline in his report on the sewage disposal nf the Borough a scheme for improving the water supply with a view to its inclusion in the next loan proposal. The following is the report:—"About this time last year I reported to the Council that the twelve-inch earthenware pipe line feeding the reservoir was in a defective condition in consequence of which roots had intruded themselves into the pipes, and had formed masses of vegetation therein, atid which gave to the town supply in the spring a distinct taste and odour. I advised the Borough Council to have the pipa line cleared of, the roots and pointed out the advisability of making the pipe line watertight. I anticipated after the sap had risen that the odour would disappear and that such was the case is evidenced by the fact that in the following February the Government Bacteriologist reported upon ths water supply as being of a pure and potable char • acter. I brought to the Council Chambers and exhibited to the Council samples of the weeds removed from the pipes, in some instances the samples were several yards long, and the Councillors were able to satisfy themselves that the weeds gave off exactly the same odour which was noticeable in the town supply, and which conclusively demonstrates that the weeds contaminate the supply, but such contamination is not necessarily of an injurious character. The weedy taste of the town supply has been commented upon during the past two or three weeks, and has led me to reinvestigate the supply. I find again, what is only to be exptcted. that the weids in the pipes haw grown into considerable massts since last year, and I now lay upon the J table a sample piece such as was j previously produced, indicating that j l the weeds are the main cause of the complaints made as to the character of the water supply to the town. The complaints are justifiable and must continue suceeding spring , until tuch time as the borough make their pipe line from the river to the reservoir water-tight so as to exclude the ingress of roots. Another factor for consideration is after a storm up in the hills that a difficulty is experienced in -'teaching the river intake in time to shut off the rivetwater after its disturbance by the storm no as to prevent it reaching the town mains as in that condition it contains a considerable quantity of debris, and is discoloured, but it

| is not always possible to accomplishI this owing to the distance to be traversed, some seven miles, from the town to the intake. Every effort, i however, is made to do so, and with very few exceptions the effort is successful. The exception, however, proves the rule in consequence of which the water in the town is at times discoloured. I noticed that the fittings on the river race are not watertight, and to overcome this I am to-day carrying out certain alter* ations, the cost of which will be under £5. If the consumers demand a high standard of water, and are content to use the water for domestic purposes only, you can by making the pipe line watertight so as to exclude vegetation, give them an adequate supply of water of unvarying standard, but the Council must not lose sight of the fact that the use of the water in bright weather and in many instances the absolute waste which the Council themselves permit forced the. undertaking into the river in order to cope with the demand, and then, of course, the supply mustbe of a varied character, even as

the varying conditions of the river. If the consumers demand a high standard of water at all seasons of the jear and of unlimited volume, then the Borough must face the position and put in an adequate plant of tanks and filters. I spare no effort to give the town the best possible supply, which I am credibly informed is equal, if not superior, to what has even been given since the undertaking was installed, and I am unable to give any' better results with the present plant under the conditions, of the use to which the consumers put the supply. I anticipated that by or before Christmas the odour and taste will have disappeared, as it did last year, in which case the complaints will similarly disappear, but unless the works I outline are carried out the complaints will of a surety reappear in the following

year." Cr Ewington said the difficulty of travelling the seven miles to the int take could be overcome if the tenant I made it his duty to close the flood J gates in cases of emergency. The Mayor considered that thismatter was one that should "be attended to by the Borough Engineer,, who would be hold responsible m the event of anything going wrong. Cr Morris paid a tribute to the Engineer for the thorough and comprehensive nature of the report submitted to the Council, the perusal of which would be made with interest by every resident of the town. Cr Ewington aHked when th-j reservoir had last been cleaoeo out. The Engineer stated the work had been done a few days ago. \ Cr Ewington said his reason for asking was that the water had improved considerably daring the last few days. The Mayor said they were indebted to the Borough Engineer for the steps he bad taken regarding the water supply, especially when the materials at his disposal and the conditions under which he was compelled to work were taken into consideration. The Council would have to consider the question of a more adeqate supply if the water was used indiscriminately. When the Borough Engineer's report on the proposed new drainage scheme came before the Council, the whole question of improving the water supply could then be gone into thoroughly. The report was adopted.