Firefighting with recycled water

Prolonged below average rainfall has led to a significant deficit in water availability for firefighting in most parts of the state. If experts are correct, future water availability will continue to be limited.

As a result, CFA and the MFB, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Victoria, Department of Human Services (DHS) and water authorities initiated a project to investigate the use of Class A recycled water for firefighting.
Recycled water can substitute water used from stressed and over-allocated rivers, groundwater sources and drinking water supplies. Market gardens, golf courses, and public areas are increasingly being watered using recycled water.

(l to r) Parwan Fire Brigade 1st Lieutenant Graham Miles, Firefighter Frances Fitzpatrick, Captain Phil Bath, Western Water Managing Director John Wilkinson (signing), CFA Acting CEO Michael Wootten, MFB Leading Firefighters Warren Janson and Peter Neski, and Station Officer John Sexton

Most significantly for fire agencies, many new subdivisions are installing dual reticulation systems that include Class A recycled water for fire suppression. This prompted fire agencies to establish a position to support the use of Class A recycled water for firefighting.

The CFA/MFB position:

• secures a reliable water source for firefighting;
• enables firefighters to continue training for skills maintenance; and
• reduces our impact on drinking water supplies.

The project was officially launched on Friday 7 March 2008 at the new Eynesbury Township, south of Melton. The Eynesbury Township will be one of the first locations in Victoria, along with the Hunt Club and Sandhurst in Westernport Area, to have Class A recycled water supplied to houses.

The approved management plan and awareness information has been distributed to regions, which will deliver basic awareness training to CFA members that will use recycled water.

Detailed information on the recycled water project, including management and awareness documents, definitions of recycled water classes, expert advice and background research can be found on the Completed Operations Projects page on CFA Online (members only).

(l to r) CFA Deputy Chief Officer Steven Warrington, MFB Scientific Officer Tania Holliday, CFA Project Coordinator Matthew Fraser and MFB Western Zone Commander Mark Dalrymple