Fire service’s pioneering treated water initiative

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is leading a pioneering initiative to use treated wastewater to tackle fires.

In a first for Wales and through working in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is trialling the use of ultra-violet (UV tertiary) treated effluent water at fire incidents attend attended by the Service, as an alternative to drinking and other water sources.

Fire and Rescue Services use a large amount of water while responding to the variety of incidents they attend, with the average modern fire appliance having an 1,800-litre water capacity. While water is an essential element of the response work by MAWWFRS crews, the large amount of water required can occasionally cause issues for communities, such as low water pressure and dirty water, depending on the location.

This new initiative, devised and being led by the Service’s Corporate Risk Assurance Manager,

Seamus Doyle, will involve using disinfected ultra-violet (UV tertiary) treated effluent water at incidents attended by MAWWFRS crews.

As well as reducing the impact on communities, the process will also align with the Service’s environmental objectives, which includes achieving Net Zero Carbon Status by 2030. During a period of increased unpredictability on the world’s water supply, due to changing rainfall patterns and frequent droughts, reducing the reliance on clean water is increasingly important.

In addition to reducing the Service’s environmental impact, utilising ultra-violet (UV tertiary) treated effluent water will also enable crews to respond more efficiently to incidents. Where water supply is limited at an incident, water must be shuttled from various locations which can be up to an hour from the incident, therefore prolonging the incident and delaying response times.

Utilising the UV tertiary treated wastewater sites across Wales would allow crews from the three Fire and Rescue Services to collect water more efficiently and respond quicker.

A spokesperson for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said: “We are fully supportive of this initiative to make available where practical treated wastewater effluent that has been through a UV disinfection plant as a source of water 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 spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said: “A Low-Risk Waste Recovery Operation has been approved and published by NRW allowing the use of UV treated final effluent from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water permitted Wastewater Treatment Works in emergency firefighting activities by the Fire and Rescue Service. This regulatory decision delivers the sustainable management of natural resources by protecting both the natural environment and mains water supplies in an emergency by enabling Fire and Rescue Services across Wales to utilise final waste effluent from relevant facilities.”

A NEW ‘brand’ and logo to “help promote and unite” Pembrokeshire’s county town has been called “embarrassing” and a waste of money.

The stylised new Haverfordwest branding features an H – representing the town’s castle – set in two circles with lines at the bottom representing the Cleddau River.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said: “Haverfordwest is enjoying a time of significant investment, which will bring attention and people to the town.

“This new visual brand identity toolkit has been created to help promote and unite Haverfordwest.

It positions this great county town in its rightful place at the heart of Pembrokeshire.”

Accompanying the brand launch is a ‘toolkit’ for businesses and local projects, with logos, fonts and colours that are part of the identity branding.

A 24-page booklet of identity guidelines has also been produced, which shows both colour and monochrome versions of the logo, together with branded items like bags.

It reads: “In our research we were told that the ‘best’ things about Haverfordwest are (in order): the river, the central (Pembrokeshire) location, the castle, the friendly people, the independent shops, the history and heritage.

“We needed to find a way of weaving these together into an easy-to recognise identity that communicates ‘The Heart of Pembrokeshire’.

“The colour palette references Haverfordwest’s natural and built environment. The main colours are inspired by the river, the tiles unearthed from the Friarage excavations, and iconic buildings around town.

“We were inspired by Haverfordwest’s heritage to include a pattern that references Haverfordwest’s heritage – from the tiles uncovered during the excavations to Georgian hallways.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has previously said the cost has been met through grant funding elements of projects taking place, adding: “Haverfordwest has a rich history and an exciting future, with an extensive programme of regeneration work underway at several locations.

“The aim of the brand engagement has been to bring this all together.”

After the logo was shown on social media, support has been muted to say the least, with one person saying it looked like a hospital sign.

One respondent said: “That’s awful….kids in college could do better its embarrassing!”

Another said: “Very underwhelming to say the least! We need to put on more events so people can enjoy our town not spending stupid amounts of money on something that looks like a two-year-old created.”

Other comments included: “Nothing there that relates to the town, nothing of any interest to make you want to know more,” and “Waste of money plain and simply.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has been contacted for a statement.