NEWS FROM THE PAST

TOOWOOMBA WATER SUPPLY

When Toowoomba has discovered, for a certainty, whether or not there is ample water supply beneath the surface of the city and suburbs, there should be no more time lost in deciding definitely as to what course to adopt in that regard. It is still held by a section of the community that there is adequate subterranean water available, were a number of wells and bores sunk in different parts of the basin, instead of depending upon two or three such. It is quite obvious that there has been little or no endeavour to test the springs and the cisterns north of Herries-street. The city has confined its attention to a circumscribed area, towards the south end of the town environs.

To just what extent the limited supply from the wells in use might be multiplied within the Toowoomba basin is, of course, a matter of conjecture. Obviously, there would be a large increase, but the precise ratio is problematic. Should it be shown by expert and practical evidence that Toowoomba cannot hope to provide from her own bosom a supply for her children, then the sooner that a real water system – and not a toy – is promoted, the better for Toowoomba and its people and their progress and prosperity. So soon as a hot, dry period happens along, so soon will issue the familiar and wearisome City Council commandment: “Thou shalt not sue the water.” Toowoomba is tired of having town water when Toowoomba is flooded with rain water, and of having no town water when the rain also is afar off. It were better to pay £1 a year and have water, than to pay 10s a year and get no water – when it is needed.

Toowoomba Chronicle, March 11, 1920