Bushfires and emergencies

Your water supply

During a bushfire, or other emergency, water supplies cannot be guaranteed. This is often due to electrical outages causing water infrastructure, such as water transfer pumps, to stop operating. In addition, heavy demand on the water supply by firefighters and other residents can cause a drop in water pressure and water supply tanks can quickly empty, even when some distance from an active fire.

In other instances, for safety reasons Muchea  Water may not be able to access the water treatment plant, or respond quickly to system failures, for extended periods of time. This can include where the area is deemed unsafe by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) or Western Power.

Scheme water supply networks are designed to provide drinking water to the community, not fight bushfires, and staying to defend against a bushfire requires more equipment and planning than many people realise.

Rapid loss of water is a common occurrence during bushfires. Bushfires can send thousands of embers several kilometres ahead of the fire front, which can knock out the power and therefore the water supply before the main fire. At times, the radiant heat can be so intense that no amount of water will stop it. The water treatment plant is not a fire safe refuge.

Be well prepared, have a survival plan

The areas serviced by Muchea Water are designated as bushfire zones and dangerous bushfires can start at any time. So, you need to be well prepared and have an up-to-date Bushfire Survival Plan. Please visit the DFES website for advice.

When a bushfire starts, things can change quickly – sometimes in a matter of minutes. So you need to keep connected and updated regularly during bushfire season.

By being alert and closely following official warnings on Emergency WA, you and your family have the best chance to act early and leave for a safer place. Please remember though – no warning system is failproof.

Defending your home during a bushfire

·        Do not rely on scheme water during a bushfire

·        An independent water supply and pumping capability is vital when planning to stay and defend

·        Damaged infrastructure or power outage can impact water supply

While leaving early is always the safest option, if you plan to stay and actively defend your home from fire you need to be very well prepared. Among other things, you will need to have an independent water supply (like a large water tank with at least 20,000 litres of water), because the public water supply and water pressure cannot be guaranteed.

You will also need a means to pump your stored water that does not rely on the electricity supply. This means having a generator to drive a home pressure pump, or a petrol or diesel firefighting pump.

DFES warns that you will need to put in huge physical and mental efforts for many hours to actively defend your property before, during and after a fire. Conditions will be unbearably hot. Your home is your best protection in a bushfire ONLY if it is well constructed, maintained and prepared.

Bushfire Plan

The DFES’ My Bushfire Plan can help you prepare by creating a personal bushfire survival plan. Visit the My Bushfire Plan website at mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au or mobile app for more information.

Where to stay informed

  • The Emergency WA website provides immediate access to emergency information and community safety warnings and incidents.
  • During a bushfire event, stay tuned to local ABC radio and local media for current updates on the situation.
  • For more information on preparing for bushfire season, visit the DFES website.

Contacts

  • Life threatening emergency: 000
  • Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) My Bushfire Plan website
  • DFES info line: 13 DFES (13 3337)
  • Emergency WA website for the latest bushfire advice and warnings
  • State Emergency Service (SES) assistance: 13 25 00
  • Main Roads road closure info line: 13 81 38