The state government has announced that it is implementing a reduction in water pressure in several Wollongong suburbs, including Fairy Meadow.
What is surprising is that this has drawn absolutely no comment from the department most likely to be affected - the fire brigade.
According to the government PR office, reducing water pressure will result in fewer burst water mains and a reduction in other maintenance costs. We are assured that most people will notice little difference. Just a little longer filling the bath perhaps !
There are questions that need answers. What will be the position with those buildings fitted with automatic fire sprinklers. Such buildings have a tank on the roof to provide immediate response, but need pressure from the mains to maintain the flow once this is exhausted. Will the lower pressure regime meet the fire safety standards under which these systems are constructed ?
In a bushfire many residents are hosing down nearby shrubbery and dealing with burning embers. Will lowered mains pressure be able to accommodate this increased demand, and will it leave the fire brigade units short of essential water ?
The fire brigades are a government instrumentality. Have they been gagged and ordered to maintain silence on any hazards involved in reducing mains pressure ?
If there is no cause for alarm, it would help if the fire people were able to make a supporting comment !
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