Business South March 2016
CONTRACTING » Burford Tanks
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Concrete tanks for every application Jo Bailey Burford Lifestyle Water and Effluent Systems are a New Zealand leader in designing and manufacturing concrete tanks for a variety of applications. Based in Winton, Southland, the company’s well-known water tanks, which have a capacity of up to 30,000 litres, have been a familiar sight in the lower South Island countryside for more than half a century. Its water and effluent tanks have also been supplied to remote and environmentally sensitive places such as Deep Cove and Doubtful Sound in Fiordland as well as for ski fields in Central Otago. Owner Leigh Buford said the business was started by his father Dave and his Uncle: Tom Burford in 1958; Leigh has been at the helm for 30 years and it is the only work he has ever known. “They were building tanks all over the central North Island before they came down here,’’ Leigh Burford says. Leigh is passionate about the advantages of concrete tanks as the best means of water storage. “Concrete is a natural insulator, it keeps the water nice and cool and water quality is maintained; plastic tanks do not do well in the heat. (Concrete tanks) are more durable, you can put them into harsher environments as well as in the ground or underground.’’ “We install a lot of underground tanks in the Queenstown, Central Otago area. People pay a lot of money for their sections and quite often they don’t want to be looking at a concrete water tank, so therefore they can bury them out of sight, out of mind. Water stored in underground concrete tanks provides advantages for dairy farms such as maintaining water at a constant temperature and minimising the potential for bacterial growth in the water. “Farmers themselves are realising that clean, pure, mineral and bacteria-free water means stock health is considerably improved.’’ Some dairy farmers had learnt “the hard way’’, from having to cool water stored in plastic tanks during a run of hot weather, resulting in higher energy costs for milk refrigeration, Leigh says. “If dairy farmers can cotton on to putting their cooling water underground, it’s a much better, more cost-effective solution.’’ There is anecdotal evidence from Burford’s clients who have had their water tested that storing water in concrete also has other benefits. “Some people have found that if they have acidic water, that the concrete tank can neutralise the pH in some cases in comparison to plastics. If (water) is pumped out of the ground it could be acidic or it could be alkaline. “It appears to neutralise it a bit more because of the properties of concrete. All our tanks are made from natural materials; sand, cement and steel.’’ Burford’s also manufacture and supply tanks adapted for killing sheds and hazardous substances storage sheds. “With the changes in health and safety it’s becoming more and more important that the clients are able to store their chemicals in a safe, secure
Burford’s water and effluent tanks have been used in environmentally sensitive areas like ski fields (top) and they also manufacture tanks adopted for hazardous substances (below).
“Concrete is a natural insulator, it keeps the water nice and cool and water quality is maintained; plastic tanks do not do well in the heat.’’ shed that complies with health and safety and HSNO (Hazards Substances and New Organisations act) requirements.’’ “We can customise our tanks at our factory to suit our client’s needs.’’ Although technology has influenced, and overtaken, many areas of business and production methods today, little has changed in the construction of Burford tanks. The fact that products made by the company in 1958 are still in use today is proof of their quality and longevity. “Our concrete products meet or exceed all New Zealand standards, and are designed to give you years of trouble free usage.’’
our supply is assured 60,000t of premium grade cement stored in two domes located in the North Island and South Islands. 60,000t contained in 2 vessels each carrying 30,000t in transit at any one time. 30,000t stored in 9 depots throughout New Zealand. Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd. There’s strength in numbers.
Southern Aggregates Ltd Southern Aggregates are suppliers of all types of sand, concrete aggregates. Crushed and screened aggregates. Crusher dust and ornamental rock. Mobile crushers and screens are available for onsite aggregate processing throughout Otago and Southland .See Southern Aggregates for your Sand and Aggregate requirements
Superior Tank Building Process features Burford tanks are made using a superior building process, circular in shape under controlled factory conditions and to an engineers design certificate. Giving you a superior customised water storage system that you can rely on.
www.concretetanks.co.nz | info@concretetanks.co.nz
www.holcim.com/nz
Cell. 027 453 5363 | Ph. 03 236 8731 | Gap Road West, No. 1 R.D. Winton, 9781, Southland
Bond Street Invercargill Phone: 03 218 1140 Fax: 03 218 1149 Email: southern.aggregates@hwr.co.nz