Page 61 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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“ At the end of June the first shipment of drinking fountains was received, the second
consignment being received in early August. These were installed as received, and at the same
time a small amount of pipe-laying was done. By mid-September all the fountains were in, and
painting and finishing commenced. The first pump-starter arrived on 31st August but this
was not installed immediately owing to non-arrival of the electricity supply cable, which was not
received until October. By mid-October the supply cable was laid, the first pump was in opera­
tion and the contractors gave permission for work to start on connections from the mains to
the houses. The last two starters and the last pipe shipment were received towards the end
of October and by the end of the year the position was as follows : —

Pumps .. .. One in operation. The other two being wired.
Water Tower .. .. Complete.
Pipe-laying .. About 79,000 feet laid. (The original contract
was for 77,000 feet, later extended to 83,000).
Hydrants, Fountains, etc. .. .. Complete, but not in operation.
Supply .. A considerable number of consumers were on
the mains.
It is expected that the contract will be complete and handed over in early December.”
The work of connecting the main to the consumers' premises is the responsibility of the Govern­
ment. Messrs. Holloways had undertaken to loan the Government a skilled man to take charge
of this work and on 8th Dil Qada Mr. L. Harris arrived. In addition to connections to the main he
took charge of all plumbing and water work for the Government. A start was made on the erection
of public washing places and at the close of the year two were complete and three in the course of
construction. Meanwhile most of the Government premises and some 40 others had been connected
to the main.
Government Water Garden.—This was put under the control of the Public Works Depart­
ment early in the year. The following works were carried out: a stone and jareed wall, with entrance
gates, on the east boundary; the stream joining the two ponds was widened and a bridge constructed;
and a shelter, latrines and a coffee shop were built. Many of the main paths were edged with stone
from the old Customs buildings and 6 new concrete seats were made. Horticultural work in the
garden proceeded throughout the year and considerable progress was achieved.
Adari Pool.—A work of unusual interest undertaken during the year was the repair of Adari
Pool. This pool is perhaps the greatest natural asset of the agricultural economy of the island and
many productive gardens are irrigated from its spring. It is also a place of great natural beauty and
a favourite spot for bathing and visitors. For some years much water has been lost through leaks
in the banks of the pool itself and from the sides of the stream which takes the water to the gardens.
After consultation with some 25 interested land owners it was decided to carry out repairs in Rabi-al-
Awal and Rabi-al-Thani. A trench was dug from the saltmarshes which lie to the north east of the pool
and a concrete weir constructed to facilitate the stopping of the flow of water. Elaborate precautions
were taken against scour, the flow of the spring being so great that there was always the danger of the
north east bank being washed right away once it was opened. When the bank was broken into the
trench, the level of the pool was very quickly lowered by nearly three feet, this being more than suffi­
cient to dry out the outlet stream. Extensive repairs to the bottom and sides of the stream were
carried out and to various leaks which had been located in the banks of the pool itself. Meanwhile
divers were used to stop some of the deeper leaks. After two weeks the weir was closed, and the
trench filled in, while the pool rapidly regained its normal level. Measurements of flow in the stream
taken before and after the repair work show that the volume of water flowing in the stream had been
increased by approximately 29 per cent.
In addition to stopping the leaks, the sides of the pool above water were repaired, a new and
wider bridge over the stream was constructed and the bathing shed and coffee shop were rebuilt.
The pool was cleared of various rocks and fallen masonry. Walls were put up enclosing the nearby
Government gardens and a far larger area was cleared and made available for the parking of cars.