Summer brings warm weather, sunshine and longer days. However, with these benefits often come the challenges of hot, dry spells; conditions that can lead to water shortages, dust issues and increased fire risks. Fortunately, water bowsers provide an essential solution to many of these problems.
In this article, we’ll explore the various roles water bowsers play during a dry summer and how their different configurations – road tow, site tow and portable (skid-mounted) – make them suitable for various tasks.
Livestock Watering
During hot, dry weather, natural water sources such as streams, ponds and aquifers can diminish or dry up completely. This situation poses a significant risk to livestock, which rely on these sources for hydration. Water bowsers can take fresh water supplies out onto the fields, ensuring that animals remain hydrated and healthy.
Site tow bowsers are ideal for off-road use, such as on farms. They are robust and can be easily transported across rough terrain to reach remote fields where livestock are grazing.
Dust Suppression
Dust can become a major problem during dry weather, particularly on construction sites, unpaved roads and event venues. Excessive dust poses health risks and can reduce visibility and damage machinery.
Road tow bowsers are required for use on highways, while portable bowsers are versatile and can be mounted on trucks or pickups, making them perfect for rapid deployment.
Tanks-UK can also supply them pre-fitted with dust suppression units to spray water efficiently over large areas.
Firefighting
The risk of wildfires increases significantly during dry periods, so quick access to water is crucial for firefighting efforts, whether for dousing flames or creating firebreaks.
Highway tow bowsers are legally towable on public roads, allowing rapid response to fire emergencies in different locations including areas that are less accessible to fire appliances.
Tanks-UK can also pre-fit them with pumps and hoses to provide immediate firefighting capabilities.
Summer Festivals & Events
Summer festivals and other outdoor events often require large quantities of potable water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
Specialised water spraying systems can also be used to keep crowds cool and reduce the risk of heatstroke. Flushing water is needed for temporary restroom facilities and effluent tanks will need to be emptied.
Road tow bowsers can be easily transported to event sites via public highways to ensure a reliable supply of clean, potable water and maintain acceptable hygiene. As an alternative to large effluent road tankers, they are less obtrusive, more manoeuvrable through crowded areas and present less of a health and safety risk.
Irrigation of Smaller Crops and Orchards
Large-scale irrigation systems that are used on large fields are not always feasible for smaller crops and orchards.
Water bowsers offer a practical solution for these agricultural needs, providing targeted irrigation where it’s needed most.
Site tow bowsers can navigate through orchards and fields where larger irrigation equipment cannot go. They allow farmers to deliver water directly to the roots of crops and trees, ensuring efficient use of water resources during dry periods.
Landscape Maintenance
Public parks, golf courses and gardens require consistent watering to stay green and healthy, especially during dry weather.
Landscape maintenance teams already use bowser watering systems, but the increased demand during dry spells may require additional bowsers to keep up.
Portable bowsers can be temporarily mounted on vehicles that are used for other landscaping tasks such as transporting soil, mulches and plant materials during cooler, wetter seasons. This flexibility ensures that watering can be scaled up quickly in response to dry conditions without the need for dedicated vehicles or chassis-mounted browsers.
Emergency Water Supply
Communities sometimes face water shortages during droughts or water supply interruptions.
Road tow water bowsers can provide an emergency supply of water that can be quickly deployed to affected areas, ensuring that people have access to essential water for drinking, cooking and hygiene.
How might a hot, dry summer affect you?
Planning ahead of an event or predicted changes will ensure you have the necessary water supply equipment in place when it’s needed. If any of the examples we’ve given might be useful, or if you have another idea in mind that requires a bespoke solution, give us a call at 01953 665940 or email us at info@tanks-uk.com.
We also often carry a selection of used and ex-display water bowsers if you need a solution at short notice; browse our list to see what’s currently available.