SEW hoses down fire responsibility

By Jim Mynard
SOUTH East Water’s (SEW) senior engineer of water planning, Charles Balette, has said the company had no direct responsibility to provide water to fight fires.
Mr Balette told a public meeting at Harkaway on Monday, 8 May, that SEW made facilities available to the CFA, such as water hydrants.
He said there were several hydrants where water could be collected and that stand pipes existed in the area.
“I don’t think stand pipes are that useful to the CFA because they are mainly designed for use by water carriers,” he said.
He said Melbourne Water had two large mains going through the area, but they could not be tapped.
“The mains are 1.7 metres in diameter, but under high pressure.
“If Harkaway is to have water reticulation, then the water would have to be pumped in because the elevation is too high.
“We investigated the feasibility of this several years ago and found that the cost would amount to about $5000 a property.
“At the end of the day, property owners would have to pay this.
“In one area where water was needed, we found that less than five per cent of people agreed to pay for the service.”
Harkaway resident Bill Peeler said it was important to note that payment for a connection to reticulated water was the choice of individuals.
Mr Peeler said property owners paid rates to SEW for planning and drainage, but received nothing.