Firefighters in Wales will be using treated wastewater for the first time as an alternative to drinking water, informs the BBC. The pioneering initiative by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is testing the use of disinfected UV treated effluent water as part of the fire response by their crews, according to a press release.
A modern fire appliance has a capacity of 1,800 litres, and the large volumes required for responding to fire incidents may lead to issues such as low water pressure and dirty water in some communities. The goal of this initiative – a partnership with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales – is to reduce the environmental impact of the Service, as well as enable a more efficient response to fire incidents. In cases of limited water supply, the Service’s response can be delayed if water needs to be transported from other locations.
Welsh Water welcomes the initiative to make available treated wastewater effluent that has undergone UV disinfection for firefighting purposes: “By substituting this volume of water which otherwise would have been taken from the potable water supply it will help in the preservation of our supplies for customers especially in the face of increasing climate change impact on our natural resources.” A future with more likely water shortages means fire services should be adapting, said the water company.
The idea emerged after last year when the Service encountered challenging conditions with low water supplies in some locations due to droughts. Wales saw the driest seven-month period in 150 years in 2022. Water levels in rivers and reservoirs have since recovered, but the Welsh Government has called for water use awareness, as conditions can change rapidly. "I think what last year taught us is that water supplies are becoming less reliable. With the drought we had last year we found it difficult”, said Luke Jenkins, a crew manager in Milford Haven. There has been interest on this innovative idea from others parts of the UK who are also facing shortages in water supply in the summer months.
