200,000 litres of water carried daily into Christchurch

At a daily average of some 200,000 litres of water, over 600,000 litres have now been delivered by Bleeker Contracting and Raymond Hart since Thursday evening. This includes delivering water to the hospitals and restocking the underground tanks of the fire service.

“I can tell you right now they’re heading to Banks Peninsula to deliver over 100,000 litres of water into Diamond Harbour,” says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers earthquake spokesperson.

“They’ll be doing the same thing tomorrow and at a daily average of 200,000 litres, I cannot stress just what a vital job they are performing.

“Really, someone needs to get in a cab with them just to see the long hours that are making such a massive difference. It’s one thing to have a need but it’s another thing to go and find your own water source then get on with the job of delivering what is needed

“On Thursday morning Silver Fern Farms kindly made its reservoir in Islington available to the effort. Once the tankers had rolled into Christchurch the very first order came in from the hospital for an immediate 200,000 litres.

“It’s been like that ever since as they support not just the hospitals, but in restocking the Fire Service’s water tanks over Christchurch.

“Unlike the water pods, which have been very useful, Bleeker Contracting and Raymond Hart have the ability to go from the source to where the need is and there is plenty of that.

“It speaks volumes that they are working hand in glove with the emergency services because water is life and their staff typify the ‘can do’ spirit of rural New Zealand,” Mr Hartnell concluded.

Federated Farmers wishes to thank Silver Fern Farms for its Islington reservoir and Caltex for helping meet the fuel needs of the independent water tankers.

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