CITY WATER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 6

CITY WATER

OKEHU SUPPLY COUNCIL’S INSPECTION KAI IWI SUPPLY PRAISED A comprehensive inspection of the city water system was carried out yesterday by members of the Wanganui City Council in company with Di. D. Cook, of Palmerston North, medical inspector of health. The inspection was the result of a report from Dr. Cook tabled at the last meeting of the council in which he advocateu the removal of stock grazing on a portion of the catchment area at Okehu. Those who made the tour were Mi. W. J. Rogers, Mayor of Wanganui; Crs. O. Hales (chairman of the Works Committee), J. J. Scott (deputy-Mayor), H. Lawrence, A. W. Scoullar, D. W. Earle, J. S. Hanis, G. Hawkins, Messrs. B. G. Haggitt (city solicitor), L. F. Row (city engineer), Dr. D. Cook (medical officer of health), and Mr. G. Murch (town clar). The tour was made in one of the Tramway Department's buses. The first point to be inspected was the meter house in Virginia Road, where the pressure and the draw-off from the city supply are recorded on a graph. The councillors then visited the storage tanks at Westmere. The city engineer reported that the storage tanks were not sufficiently large for the requirements of Wanganui and during the summer months held only sufficient water for two days’ requirements. The party then proceeded to the Kai Iwi springs. It was explained that the oringinal intention was to pump water into the mains from the Kai Iwi Stream but that when the weir was being built the springs were located. The springs were then concreted in and other springs fed into Ihe tank, and the water, which is crystal clear, pumped into the city mains at a rate of either 40,000 or 60,000 gallons an hour, depending on which pump is used. Almost Adequate Supply. The city engineer said that the water from the Kai Iwi springs would be sufficient for the needs ot the city for 10 months of the year provided that the pumps could be operated 24 hours a day. At present the pumps did not operate during the WanganuiRangitikei Power Board’s peak periods. Dr. Cook was very impressed with the water from the Kai Iwi springs, which he declared was perfect. A thorough inspection was then carried out of the portion of 600 acres of the catchment which is leased for grazing purposes. It was explained that this had been done in order to keep down the bracken and thus minimise the risk of lire. The tunnels between the dam and the pressure-reducing station near “Bushy Park” were also inspected and satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which the work is being carried out. After lunch at the Okehu dam, the party made a thorough inspection ol the Okehu Stream and its tributaries, considerable interest being taken in the quarter-mile long tunnel through which the water is taken to the dam through a bush-clad ridge. Now that an examination of the catchment area has been made the council will give further consideration to Dr. Cook’s report and the suggestion that the stock be not allowed to graze in the area. During the afternoon Dr. Cook advanced several reasons in support of such a suggestion, and it is likely that the council will follow his advice.