water catch now stands should have its application turned down, the Mid Ocean Club has argued -- because it is legally bound to provide the club with 1.2 million gallons of drinkable water every year.

Bermuda Properties Ltd. maintains it has honoured this agreement and will continue to honour it, but isn't publicly saying how it will keep the water flowing after it builds its planned Catchment Hill residential development of up to 150 units.

The Mid Ocean objection is just one of about 180 on file with the Planning Department awaiting the day -- probably several months down the road -- when the Development Applications Board tackles the proposal.

The plan would see cluster housing and detached houses replace the hillside water catch between Harrington Sound Road and the Mid Ocean's golf course in Hamilton Parish.

Bermuda Properties is now contacting each of the objectors, hoping a thorough explanation of the project will win converts.

After a few initial meetings, general manager Mr. Peter Parker said: "We decided to invite absolutely every person who objected to talk to us, because we know there was a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings. We wanted a chance to correct those.'' Mr. Parker said he believed the meetings so far have been worthwhile. "I suppose I have talked to a dozen people,'' he said. "...I think it went well. I'm not saying I turned anybody around, but I think it was the right thing to do.'' According to the Mid Ocean objection, Bermuda Properties and the club are bound by a 1957 covenant that requires the company to "at all times, at its own cost, to maintain its reservoir, catchment, pipelines and general waterworks system ...in good order and condition.'' The objection also says the covenant requires Bermuda Properties to provide the golf club with "1.2 million imperial gallons of potable, fresh water'' each year.

The objection says that, due to demand from water from Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel, Bermuda Properties has not "generally'' been able to provide enough water to meet the agreement.

But "there appears to be no reference in the three applications as to how this large area of water catchment is to be replaced.'' Mr. Parker declined to discuss details of how the water supply will be maintained. But he said the covenant would not be an "impediment'' to the development.

"The Mid Ocean is aware that we are honourable people,'' he said. "We will honour the covenant. We have, in my view, absolutely honoured it in the past.

We shall continue to do so.'' At present, the proposal and objections are being studied by various government departments, agencies, and others with an interest in the proposed development.

After that, the Planning Department must decide whether or not they are in favour of the proposal as submitted, whether any problems can be overcome, or whether any revisions need to be made.

The proposal would then go before the Development Applications Board.