Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-06-30

The water, the impurty of which is thus
shown to he so great, is the surface drainage of
two valleys, viz. Nuuanu and Makiki. At
the present time, the Makiki reservoir is nearly
empty. Two insignihcantly small streams
trickle into it, the one bringing water from
near the head Of the valley, in an open lume;
the other from nearer point Of the brook, in
an iron pipe. The water in this reservoir is
full of moss, while thick scum of decaying
animal and vegetable matter floats on the sur
face, disgusting sight.
The main supply for the town is now OBJ
tanned from Nuuanu valley, and is brought
through several miles of open bitches and the
Nuuanu brook, which serve as the general
drain or sewer for all that part of the valley.
The Paki auwai, starting from a point Just
above Pelly falls, as fine clear stream. crosses
the government road four times and receives
the drainage of tie Ice Works, and of numer-
Gus kalo patches. 1t winds its way through
back yards and past stables, absorbing in its
current all sorts of contamination and vileness,
to enter again the bed OF the Nuuanu stream,
with its mud, slime and putridity and on
arriving at point just above the Kapena falls,
it enters pipe, and is at length discharged
into the lower reservoir.
Let any one observe the various sources of
contamination, to which the water passing in
an open ditch, through so thickly settled
country, must necessarily be exposed, and he
will not be surprised at its extreme impurity.
But my object in thus calling attention to
this object, is to point out cure for this great
evil. Three methods of supplying this city
with pure watD are worthy Of consideration.
The first, and most obvious method is, to
bring the water from the point, already referred
to, above Pelly falls, in Nuuanu valley, in a
closed pipe To the present reservoirs, thus
doing away at one stroke with all necessity for
contamination by open bitches. The water
from point near the head Of Manoa valley,
could also be brought in the same way, and
these two sources of supply, together with the
smaller stream from Makiki are though, by
competent judges to be sufficient for the wants
Of the town. But, unfortunately, for this
scheme, the government does not have the
control of these two valuable streams. Hun.
dreds of kalo patches and scores of water
rights have the first claim. To buy out all
these ancient water rights would be task Of
great difficulty and expense. The Wilder ad-
ministration fairly considered this project, and
felt obliged to abandon it for the reason stated.
A second plan was recommended by the
wel-known hydraulic engineer, Mr.. Hermann
Schussler. He proposed to construct dam
across the Nuuanu valley, at a point little
over mile below the top Of the pail, thus
forming large storage reservoir, fed from
drainage area of about n square mile. His
experience in the construction of similar works
in California is the best guarantee of the
practicability Of this plan. 1t certainly has
the merit Of doing away with the necessity Of
buying up expensive water rights. The great
expense necessary in this undertaking to pre-.
vent leakage, and the fear naturally enter
tanned by many of the danger that the dam
might some day give way, causing sudden
and very destructive flood in the thickly settled
parts Of the valley, led to the indefinite post
ponement Of the entire plan.
The third method, and the one which would
advocate, is as follows: Two or more artesan
wells to be located in any convenient locality
ON government land Thomas Square, for ex-
ample, would be good place. A large
reservoir to contain at least five millions Of
gallons to be placed on the slope Of Punchbowl
hill, or other suitable locality, at an elevation
OF one hundred and fifty feet above sea level
At the artesian wells Worthingion duplex
steam pump, with capacity Of delivering two
million five hundred thousand gallons in each
twenty-four hours, pumping water into the
main pipe, which shall empty into the above
reservoir. This pump would not need to be
worked every day. An auxiliary pump of the
same pattern capable Of delivering FIVE hundred
thousand gallons every tweny.iour hours
should be ready for use in case Of accident or
extensive repairs to the main pump. A new
and comprehensive system Of street mains con
Meeting with the water supply should be
devised, and the present patchwois system, or
lack OF system, abandoned. Many Of the pre-
sent pipes are unfit for further service, and
should be replaced by news ones.
II is thought by some that, with the increas-
ing number Of aItesian wells, the supply Of
water from this source will gradually fail. But
even II this should be the case. the pumping
engine will be able to draw up fun supply
when many other wells have ceased to How
above the surface. The two upper Nuuanu
reservoirs should be supplied by pipe directly
connected with the pure stream above Pelly
falls ior the supply Of that portion Of the valley
above Judd street. This can be done without
seriously affecting ancient water rights, as the
supply Is adequate ior that limited district
The little MakiSi reservoir could be connected
with the proposed new reservoir, II desired, as
they would be on about the same level. The
lower Nuuanu reservoir would have TO BE-
abandoned, as il would be sixty fec, below the
level ol the new reservoir But il is not my
present purpose to go further into the details Of
matter which should be thoroughly worked
up by competent engineer, and that without
delay. The problem s comparatively simple
one. Nature has already provided an ample
store of the puSest waies; i only remains fos
man to collect and distribute her bounty.
!. s. EhERsoN