Gisborne Fire Brigade to use tank water for its tankers

Gisborne Fire Brigade and Gisborne SES are leading the way with a joint initiative in conserving water.

The emergency services developed a rainwater harvesting plan to capture and reuse rainwater by installing two 22,500-litre above ground water tanks and a 7,000-litre below ground pumping pit for training purposes.

Gisborne brigade Captain Tony Wade said the tank water would also be used for firefighting and washing vehicles. The tanks were also connected to the toilets at both the brigade and the adjoining SES building in Robertson Street.

“Having another source of water will be invaluable,” Tony said. “The brigade wants to do all it can to conserve mains water while continuing to operate at maximum efficiency. This initiative will hopefully allow us to do that.

“We wanted to involve the SES with this project because we have an excellent working relationship with them and agreed to hook up their toilets to the tanks,” he added.

Managing Director Western Water, John Wilkinson, commended the Gisborne Fire Brigade on the initiative.

“Gisborne brigade is leading by example,” he said.

The $49,000 project was jointly funded by a grant from the Australian Government Water Fund and a grant from Western Water.

For more details, contact Gisborne brigade Captain Tony Wade on 0412 467 552.