Byron Shire Council (BSC) started its water delivery service this morning with its first delivery arriving to appreciative customers around 7.30am.
Things appeared to be going well as the water began filling the first tank until the recipients of the water frantically started calling out for the water supply to be cut.
‘As the tank started to fill I noticed that the bung at the bottom the tank was leaking which is of course a huge disaster. But then I realised that after cleaning out the tank last night we’d actually forgotten to put the tap back on,’ said one of the people at the house with a laugh.
Fortunately for Mal, who is one of the delivery drivers for the BSC service, he was well over 20m away and there were screening trees between him and the sight of one of the residents stripping down to her underwear and jumping into the tank so that they could get the tap back on securely.
Once resolved the water tank was quickly and efficiently filled to the relief of the residents who are thrilled to have clean running water back on at their home.
Repurposed water carting truck
The BSC has repurposed one of its water carting trucks for drinking water delivery to assist residents who are running short of water.
‘The community came to us about the undersupply of water carting services in the Byron Shire and lengthy times people were waiting for deliveries,’ Council’s director infrastructure services, Phil Holloway said.
‘People in our rural areas were in desperate and urgent need of water for their tanks that had essentially dried up – which is pretty dire.’
Council can deliver 12,000L per trip at a cost of $350. Residents who order water need to be at the site when water is being delivered and ensure that all connections are ready for the water to be delivered to the tank. Council’s truck has 20m of delivery hose, if further length is required then recipients need to provide extra piping.
Council are planning to continue the provision of the service until the drought breaks. You can book a water delivery by calling the Byron Shire Council Depot on 6685 9319 during office hours.
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