The Wainui-o-Mata Water Supply.
The City Surveyor’s report, presented to the City Council last evening, contained the following interesting information in reference to the water supply:
“On the 21st instant I gauged the present flow of the Wainui-o-mata River, and found the daily flow to be 4,320,000 gallons; practically speaking, the whole of this quantity passes through the concrete race, as the level of the water in the reservoir was then 1ft below the notch at by-wash; this morning, at 11.30 a.m., the level of the water in the reservoir was 1ft 3in below the notch, and it is daily becoming lower.
There are leaks making their appearance in the concrete race between the reservoir and the well, and I estimate that at least one-fourth of the above-mentioned quantity leaks away through the race, and again flows into the river below the dam; the balance comes to the city, and is consumed for various purposes, and after deducting what is used for water-engines, &c., it leaves at the rate of 113 gallons per head per day, to be consumed by a population of 26,500. From these figures it will readily be seen that there is a wanton waste of water going on in the city.
Temporary repairs might be effected to the concrete race, but it will be necessary to shut off the water from Wainui before the necessary repairs can be thoroughly effected. I have had readings taken every half hour for 24 hours from 6 p.m. yesterday (26th) until 6 p.m. to-day. The readings were taken on the Hutt Road near the foot of Featherston Hill, at the store-yard, and also in Bolton Street.
At the store-yard between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., the highest reading, 165 lb per square inch, was recorded between the hours of 2.30 a.m. and 5 a.m. this morning (27th), and the lowest (115 lb) at 7.30 p.m. last night (26th). At the Hutt Road the highest reading (150 lb) was recorded at 6 a.m. this morning, and the lowest (95 lb) between 10.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (taken between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.).
At Bolton Street the highest reading (43 lb) was recorded at 6 a.m., and nothing at all recorded between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., with the exception of 10 lb at 12 noon (these readings were taken between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to-day).”
The Mayor explained that it had been necessary to gauge the pressures in different parts of the city, because, as a considerable number of breaks had lately occurred, it was thought possible to lessen the pressure on the mains, and it occurred to him as being doubtful whether this could be done with advantage.
From the readings which had been taken, he found that it would be impossible to alter the pressure, if water was still to be supplied to the high levels of the city. They must, therefore, take the highest available pressure, and chance the breaks.
The City Surveyor would now publish notices warning the householders against waste of water. By this he did not wish to convey that there was not a sufficient supply to be used in watering gardens, but that wanton waste must be avoided. There was no fear of scarcity, for he thought that if there were no rain for the next two months, the city would still have its full supply of water.
Several Councillors expressed gratification at learning of the satisfactory extent of the water supply. Councillor M’Kenzie suggested that cisterns could be used in the high levels for the purpose of maintaining the pressure.
After desultory conversation the subject was dropped.
Tags: Newspaper Water Race Waterworks
