Page 372 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

32
Water Supplies. The Manama Water Supply showed a considerable expansion during the
year, 967 new piped connections being added bringing the total number of connections to 5,051.
Revenue collected amounted to Rs. 4,42,690. Consumption continued to rise sharply, the
quantity distributed daily during the hottest months exceeding 2 million gallons a day against a
maximum of 1,483,000 gallons during 1955. However no difficulty was experienced in meeting
the increased demand owing to the forward planning of additional mains and pumping stations.
Despite numerous applications the position regarding connection of new supplies was much
improved. By the end of the year the waiting list of outstanding applications had been reduced
to negligible proportions and it was possible to give a metered supply within 2 or 3 weeks of
receipt of application. The rapid development in the ex-Cable and Wireless area and Manama
West was catered for by the Zone “B” well sunk east of the new Women’s Hospital in 1955 and
that at Jufair by a similar new well drilled near the Power Station flats. Extensions to the mains
included a 6-in. main from the new Women’s Hospital to the Mental Home, the continuation of
the 6-in. main to Jufair as far as Charaifa Village and a connection of the 3-in. main in A1 Lulu
Road, with the new 8-in. main in Shaikh Abdulla Road.
One hundred and five complaints regarding high charges were received and investigated
during the year but in no case was the meter found to be registering in excess of the statutory
limit. During the year 1,730 meters were brought in to workshops for repair and routine
cleaning. It is satisfactory to record that not a single stoppage has yet occcurred with the new
type of meter introduced in 1955 although there are now many hundreds in service. Substantial
reduction in maintenance costs and difficulties can be expected in the future with this improved
meter, which has now fully demonstrated its ability to stand up to the corrosive waters of
Bahrain.
Staff. The strength of the technical and supervisory staff remained more or less unchanged
despite greatly increased commitments. Mr. Capeling, Building Surveyor, resigned in March
and was succeeded after a six months interval by Mr. A. E. Robinson. Mr. Majid Jishi,
Assistant Engineer, also resigned. Establishment charges by all recognised standards remained
very low, amounting to only 3.1 per cent, of the value of works executed. This report would
therefore be incomplete without tribute to the loyalty and devotion to duty of the staff of this
Department, and their readiness to work very long hours, without which the results recorded
jn this report could not have been achieved.
APPENDIX
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1956 EXPENDITURE
Approx.
Expenditure
EDUCATION Rs.
1. Secondary School Extension 65.000
2. Hidd Boys School—Part 1 (Completion) 35.000
Part 2 ............................ 80.000
3. Samahij Boys School (Completion) 20,000
4. Extensions to Village Schools at:
Jidhafs, Karzakan, Sitra, Budaya, East Rafaa and Arad 70.000
5. Boys School, Manama West 5,05,519
6. West Rafaa—Girls School 55.000
8,30,519
PUBLIC HEALTH
1. Women’s Hospital, Manama 50,90,000
2. Women’s Hospital, Hidd 70.000
3. T. B. Hospital (Completion) 86,904
4. Government Hospital Additions (Offices) 80.000
5. Mental Hospital Extensions 50.000
6. New Public Latrines and Washplaces 45.000
7. Town Drains New 2,50,000
Upkeep 70,000
3,20,000
57,41,904

Carried forward 65,72.423
I