Maitland, a Water Supply Problem

In 1877, Mr. J.F. Fuller, Surveyor, was detailed by the Works Department to investigate the scheme and make a contour survey of the area and report on its suitableness. This survey was being carried out at the time of the Yarra Yarra wreck, and the severe gale at Newcastle. It was found that the greater portion of this catchment area drained into Lake Macquarie through the Belmont Lagoon, and after the Yarra Yarra gale, the water in several of the swamps and lagoons was found to be brackish. Several samples were sent to Sydney for analysis. The water was declared unfit for a domestic water supply. This scheme was accordingly abandoned.

The present Hunter River scheme was designed and later approved by Sir Wm. Clarke, an English engineer, brought out at considerable expense (£500 per month salary and expenses), to report on harbour improvements and water supplies. The late Mr. C.W. Darley, District Engineer at Newcastle, investigated and had the necessary surveys completed. Trial surveys were made by Mr. W.J. Fuller, but the major portion of the detail work was carried out by the late H.D. Walsh M.I.C.E., between March 1878, and April, 1879. Parliament approved of the scheme and voted the necessary funds. With the Crystal Palace fire, survey field books, plans, and details were destroyed. Much of the work had therefore to be resurveyed and details prepared.

The first section of the work, viz, intake staging of the river, brick tunnel from the intake under Oakhampton to Scobies's paddock, thence a second brick tunnel terminating 30 feet below the present ground level of Walka pumping station, was completed. T. Smith and Mark Burley, trading as Smith and Burley, carried out this work which was completed early in 1883. Walka pumping station, engine house, etc., were erected by Mr. Parkell, contractor. Walka storage reservoir and dam, settling tank, filter beds and clear water tank were completed in 1884, Blunt and Wakefield being the contractors. During this time reservoirs were being constructed at Buttai, East Maitland, Minmi, Wallsend, Lambton, Merewether and Newcastle. The 18in. cast iron suction main was also laid through tunnels from intake at river to Walka pumping station engine house; also a 10-in. delivery main to East Maitland reservoir.

Owing to the continued dry weather, Newcastle and district were running very short of water. It was decided in September 1885, to arrange for a temporary supply. A 7-in. Tangye pump and boiler were set up near the intake, to pump unfiltered water from the river direct to Buttai, through the 18-in. suction pipe, which was coupled up to the 15-in. cast iron delivery pipes at Walka pumping station and thence on to Buttai, gravitating from there to Newcastle. The temporary supply was completed, and pumping was started on October 24, 1885. On January 5, 1887, the large beam engines, supplied and erected by Jas. Watt and Coy, England, being completed, the temporary supply connections were disconnected and permanent sections remade with the suction and delivery pipes of the pumping plant, and the large engines were brought into use and the various reservoirs were kept filled with water from this date. Early in 1887, a fire occurred in High Street, West Maitland destroying two houses. During the fire bitter complaints were made about no provision being made for a water supply for fire fighting purposes. Although a 10-in. main was laid in High Street and was fully charged from East Maitland reservoir, there were no fire hydrants.

After this a strong agitation was put forward for an efficient fire supply for West Maitland. It was approved to lay a 6-in. main in High Street, from Little Hunter Street to Melbourne Street. This main was started on March 10, and was completed on April 14, 1887. The West Maitland reticulation pipes were laid later by the Government, and were completed in 1887. East Maitland and Morpeth reticulations were completed in 1888. From this time, until the Board's Incorporation July 1 1892, with the exception of the Newcastle Council, who completed their own reticulation and collected their own revenue, nothing was done by any of the other councils, and the water supply remained practically dormant. The interest on the capital cost, however, steadily increased.

Sanction was later granted to persons wanting a water service laid, provided they agreed to pay the whole cost and have the supply under meter, and pay for the water registered at 2/- per 1000 gallons. A deposit of 2/- had to be made with each application to cover the cost of drilling main and laying the service to the building line pathcock, the material and labour for this portion being supplied by the Works Department. The consumer had to engage a private plumber to complete his service from the pathcock (meters of all makes and patterns were allowed).

From April 1887, to the inception of the board in August 1892, 308 services were laid under these conditions. The first to connect were Harry James, butcher, and E.P. Capper. The meters were read monthly, and the accounts rendered and amounts collected and forwarded to the Public Works Department monthly by Mr. E. Nash. The late Mr. H.D. Walsh, M.I.C.E., was engaged on practically all the survey work of this supply, and also acted as supervising engineer during the whole construction period. Colonel Nash was engaged with him throughout this work, first on survey work, and later as an inspector on all construction work, including the supervision of all water pipe laying work, pipe connections, bridges and timber work.

Prior to 1887 the West Maitland residents, in times of drought, were dependent for their water supply on roof rainwater tanks, underground tanks, wells, and water carried from the river, also from private well supplies, the owners of which sold water to the carters. Owners of such wells were Maitland Brewery, Brewer's Sawmills, and G.A. Smyth, foundry. Good water was also obtainable from private wells in the Horseshoe Bend and other low parts of the town. West of St. Andrew street, good water was always obtainable. From Bourke street west to St Andrew street, and southerly from High street to the Great Northern Railway, the subsoil is of a clayey nature, and wells in this area were not a success.

In East Maitland good well water was obtainable from Ewing's well, on the Pitnacree road, near the old railway station. Water carters purchased their supplies here. On the higher ground of East Maitland and the Morpeth wells were of little use, the subsoil being of a non-porous nature. The water was carted and sold at prices ranging up to 3/- per 100 gallons. During very hot dry weather, the supply became irregular, owing to increased demand and the prices varied accordingly.

When the Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board was incorporated in 1892, the supply in the Maitland area was confined to the municipalities of West Maitland, East Maitland and Morpeth.

The supply has since been extended to the surrounding parts of Maitland, viz - East Greta, Bolwarra, Lorn, Rutherford, Homeville, Farley, Telarah, Oakhampton and Tenambit, and some idea of the progress and growth of the water supply operations in this area can be gathered from the following figures -

During the first year's operations of the board (year ended June 30, 1893), the total properties rated numbered 3,132, whilst at June 30, 1929 the total numbered 5,316. There are now 1,879 meters on the services as against 300 on the 1st July, 1892. In 1892 the approximate population supplied was 9,750 and East Maitland reservoir with a capacity of 464,000 gallons was the only storage provided. An approximate population of 20,000 is now supplied and additional storage is provided in Tenambit reservoir which has a capacity of 1,398,500 gallons and Rutherford reservoir which has a capacity of 502,000 gallons. The total capacity of water consumed for the year ended June 30th, 1893, in this area was approximately 25,000,000 gallons. The total consumed for the year ended June 30th, 1929, was approximately 266,000,000 gallons, and of this 87,000,000 gallons were used by large consumers for trade and manufacturing purposes, and over 3,000,000 gallons were supplied by the board free of charge for public and charitable purposes.

Lieutenant-Colonel E. Nash, who recently retired from the position of Maitland District Superintendent, on the staff of the Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board, was closely associated with water supply operations of the district in the Harbours and Rivers Department prior to the Board's incorporation, and has taken a very keen interest in its development. Ald. Arthur C. Lee was the first representative for the district on the Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board, as from July 1, 1892. He retired on June 30, 1894, and Ald. J.W. Birkenhead was elected on July 1, 1894. The service rendered to the district by Mr. Birkenhead, and the esteem in which he has been held is evident by the fact that, although not an alderman for many years, he has been continuously re-elected by the aldermen to represent the district to the present time.

The town has not yet been provided with an up-to-date sewerage scheme. In pursuance of the provisions of the board's principal Act, the boundaries of the Maitland sewerage district were proclaimed as far back as 1897. A sewerage scheme was prepared by the constructing authority in 1908, but objections were made to the proposed site for the treatment works. Another scheme was prepared in 1918. Parliament passed an enabling Act, and a sum of money was voted for the following year's estimates to enable a commencement to be made with the work, but this scheme was also allowed to fall into disfavour. The Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board has had the whole subject reopened with a view to the preparation of a scheme which would overcome all previous objections.

The Engineering Expert Committee entrusted with this duty represented both the Department of Public Works and the board. That committee found that the design of a suitable scheme to meet the peculiar conditions involved engineering difficulties, probably unique in their complexity. A scheme has been prepared which has satisfactorily dealt with those features of the problem to cost £45,000. The revenue to be derived to finance this scheme, however, is regarded as quite beyond the financial resources of the estimated population to be provided for - 16,180. The advantages of an efficient sewerage system, however, are fully recognised as essential, and representations have been made for the Treasurer to negotiate with the Federal Treasurer for such financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government as will enable the board to secure the councils concerned that the interest charge on the actual expenditure will be fixed on such a reduced rate that the sewerage rate to be imposed to finance the scheme shall be within the means of the people. Should the board be successful in obtaining this assurance of financial assistance from the Federal Treasurer, no time would be lost in having the scheme referred to the Public Works Committee for investigation and report.