City Council – Proposed Additional Water Supply
The following letter from the City Engineer was read:- “I have the honor to draw your attention to the necessity that exists for taking immediate steps for increasing the water supply. During the present season we have managed to hold our own, and the reservoir has never had less than 33ft 5in of water, but we are extending the water mains, and, of course, there will be a much larger consumption next summer. A larger supply will also be required when the drainage scheme is carried out. There are three courses open to the Council as follows:- 1st. To construct a second dam just above the present reservoir, which would also act as a silt basin. It will enclose about nine millions of gallons of water, which, during the winter months goes to waste, and will cost £4594. 2nd. To tunnel through the dividing range between the Kaiwarra and South Karori streams; the length of tunnel would be about 105½ chains, and an open cutting of 20 chains. The South Karori stream has a flow equal to about 1300,000 gallons per 24 hours. I estimate the cost of this work at £18,580; this and the former proposition could be carried out together. 3rd. To bring the water in from Wainui-o-mata, where there is almost an unlimited supply, to be obtained at an elevation sufficient to give 300 feet of pressure in Wellington. When the stream was gauged by Mr Clark it gave about 15,000,000 gallons per day. I estimate the cost of the works required to carry out this scheme at, in round numbers, £100,000. The South Karori, in addition to our present supply, allowing a consumption of 50 gallons to each person, would be sufficient for a population of 34,000. The Wainui-o-mata, in addition to the present supply, allowing the same quantity, would be sufficient for a population of 308,000. If we had the latter, there is no doubt a very large revenue would be derived from water as a motive power. It is entirely a financial question, and one for the Council to decide, which of these schemes it would be most advisable to carry out.” It was resolved that the report should be considered by the Water Supply Committee at their next meeting, several members expressing a hope that the matter would be dealt with in a large and comprehensive spirit, and that a supply would be obtained sufficient to meet the requirements of the city twenty years hence.
Tags: Newspaper Waterworks
