11 
“Tt is almost impossible at the present time to give anywhere 
near approximate figures on the average annual consumption 
of water as it is only recently that stream measurements have 
been taken up by the Hydrographic Survey. The Nuuanu 
dam, with the spring water used by the Water Works, probably 
amounts to about 1,450,000,000 gallons annually or 4,000,000 
gallons per day. As a very rough estimate, the springs that 
are delivering water at the surface of the ground, may he 
placed at about 80,000,000 gallons per day, or 29,000,000,000 
gallons per year. The flowing streams, are of course, also great 
sources of water supply. In accounting for the distribution of 
the rainfall, however, the underground springs which show 
themselves at the sea, and the evaporation, must be taken into 
consideration. 
““As to the levels in artesian wells, about 1889 there was a 
drought, in which the artesian wells fell about 214 feet. The 
following season there were heavy rains and the wells in Fono- 
lulu again rose to the 421% ft. level. There have been no 
available records showing the exact height fifteen years ago, 
but from our knowledge of conditions of the wells at that time, 
we place it at about 38 feet. 
“Ten years ago the maximum was 34.50 feet, the minimum 
32.55, and the average 33.62. 
“In 1908, say five years ago, the maximum was 31.81, the 
minimum 30.41, average 30.74. 
“The lowest during the present year has been 28.25. In 
1910 the level fell to 29.5 feet then rose during the winter 
season to 32.5 feet, giving us a total fall of over 4 feet. The 
recent rains have caused the wells in Honolulu to rise a little. 
Under normal conditions, we will get a seasonable rise of 114 
to 2 feet. This year’s level is the lowest on record. 
“Tt has been estimated that there annually falls on the 
Tsland of Oahu, which is roughly 600 square miles in area, 
enough rain to cover the island to a depth of five feet. Of the 
total precipitation it is estimated that there reaches the sea, 
or is lost through evaporation, the equivalent of a depth of 334 
feet, leaving 114 feet of water over the 600 square miles to 
he the flow of the artesian wells and surface springs together.” 
With so large a percentage of the water coming to the sur- 
face in this way, under conditions where it can at least in 
part be controlled, the need is brought home of enforcing 
greater care than is now used in looking after this source of 
