Water Plan
ARC2021 “Deceptive Lands” – May 2021
In putting this plan together, the following assumptions have been made:
- The maximum number of competitors is 280 – 320 with about 20 volunteers. Approximately one third will be competing in the 8-hour non championship event.
- The location and time of year indicate that the weather will be mild (daytime weather in mid-teens dropping to low single digits during the night with maximum daylight of 10 hours), though the plan provides for warmer than average conditions. This will be assessed via BOM forecasts in the week prior to the event.
- Based on an 18-degree daytime temperature (higher than the recorded daytime average for the area) each competitor will require approximately 4.5 litres of water for top ups in the 24-hour event and 1.5 litres in the non-championship 8-hour event. For a 28-degree daytime temperature each 24-hour competitor would require 7 litres of water for top ups and the 8-hour competitors would need 2.5 litres. Based on these figures, competitor top-up water requirements during the event will be 1160 to 1880 litres.
- All competitors will start the event with their own supply of water (2-3 litres). However, provision will be made for bus passengers (100 x 3 litres = 300 litres).
- No ground water present on the course apart from that able to be sourced from windmills and water troughs filled via bore water.
- Assuming 150 will re-supply at the HH at some point and the rest will re-supply at designated water points.
- Additional water will be used at the HH for food preparation, tea/coffee etc and cleaning – approximately 300 litres at the HH site.
- After midday Sunday at the HH, assume 1 litre per person will be used = 340 litres.
- Hired portable chemical toilets will require approximately 800 to 1000 litres of water. Bore water to be used and transported to the site in a dedicated 1000 litre IBC unit. IBC unit and toilets to be labelled to indicate that this is not potable water.
- Sunrise approximately at 7.15am and sunset at approximately 5.15pm giving 10 hours of full sunlight.
Water resupply points and quantities on the course are shown on the attached PDF diagram.
Water point inspections will occur at regular intervals. One vehicle to be used to inspect the Northern Water points and a second vehicle to inspect the southern water points. This will minimize driver fatigue.
At the start of the event, the following potable water will be in place:
Remote water drops – total of 2,700 litres, HH - 1,500 litres (excluding emergency drums) = total 4,200 litres
As shown by the table below.
Water Drop # |
Distance from HH on foot |
Distance from HH by car |
# of teams anticipated to visit |
Volume of water required |
Water to be placed here |
W1 |
12-13km |
19km |
30 |
500L |
IBC half filled – gate at end of surveyed road, no public traffic |
W2 |
8km |
11km |
40 |
300L |
12 x 25 litre kegs, in scrub at side of Mallett Rd adjacent Rogaine sign (does get traffic) |
W3 |
5km |
5km |
50-60? Including 8hr |
500L |
IBC half filled – alongside entrance road to Bri Glen Springs |
W4 |
5km |
19km |
50-60? Including 8hr |
500L |
On access track adjacent Rogaine sign on Scrub Rd – IBC unit |
W5 |
7km |
17km |
40 |
600L |
On Robinsons’ farm, inside locked gate – use Adrian Uppill’s 600litre trailer |
W6 |
7km |
17km |
30 |
300L |
On access track to private property adjacent Rogaine sign on Civilization Gate Rd – 12 x 25 litre kegs |
HH will have a mobile water tanker with a minimum of 1500 litres of water for use by competitors throughout the event and to also supply the Hash House food catering service. In addition, there will be approximately 10 x 20/25 litre water drums located at the HH, available for immediate re-supply purposes via safety patrols if required.
Expected HH Usage:
Bus arrivals – 100 x 3 litres = 300 litres
Catering usage 300 litres
Post event usage 340 x 1 litre = 340 litres
Available for use during event = 500 litres
Total usage = 1440 litres
Course setter notes will also highlight that bore water can be used with sterilisation, but not recommended. There are numerous bore water points throughout the course supplying stock troughs. Final instructions will alert competitors to bring sterilisation tablets if they wish to consider using bore water.
Re-supply
It is the intention to have adequate water on the course so that there will not be a need to re-supply any of the water points during the event. The rainwater re-supply point is approximately 40kms away and the journey to and from the HH with filling time at the supply point would be approximately 90 to 120 minutes.
If an emergency re-supply is required, water will be initially acquired from the HH water tanker and emergency water containers at the HH. Water usage at the HH will be continually monitored.
Estimated total usage
Using the above assumptions, we will require:
- Competitor top-up usage of 1880 litre (assuming max temperature of 28 degrees)
- 1440 litres at the HH
- Volunteer usage of 260 litres
This makes a total of 3,580 litres which is well within our total water availability.
RISKS
Course layout and associated route planning may place high demand on certain water re-supply points or the HH. In addition, accidental spillage, leaving taps on and theft can affect the supply.
Risk |
Likelihood |
Measure to address risk |
Water bottles, IBC stolen |
Low |
Bottles placed off main tracks and locked with a chain. Trailer mounted ICBs to have trailer locks fitted to prevent removal |
Water taps left on (IBC) |
Moderate |
Laminated sign reminding users to turn the tap off. Checking regularly. Automatic spring-loaded shutoff taps to be used. |
Water bottles tipped over |
Low |
Taps in lids attached to bottles to eliminate need to tip the bottle over. Rogainers asked to be especially careful as water refills are remote. |
Demand for water at water drops where drums are used which have lower holding capacity as compared to the ICB units |
Low to Moderate |
Start with 300 litres. Analyse flight plans immediately after the start of the event to check expected numbers of teams visiting the water drops and HH. Modify resupply if necessary. Undertake planned check after 6 hours. |
Hot weather |
Low |
Increase water checking times Emphasise in final instructions and briefing for Rogainers to bring and carry water and sterilisation tablets. |
Refilling difficulty |
Low |
All water drops supplied with enough water not to require re-filling during event. Rainwater supply at Darren Robinson’s property approximately 30 minutes drive distance. Brian Sambell’s property bore water (requires sterilisation) in an emergency (could be used for HH catering washing up water), located adjacent HH site |
Time to do refills |
High |
Two safety/water inspection vehicles to be used at the same time enabling all water points to be regularly checked in a timely manner. |
Response required to another incident on course |
Moderate |
There will be an additional 4WD vehicles at the HH to respond to other emergencies or to do water drop runs if required. |
All water points accessible by standard 2-wheel drive vehicles.
HH - 1500-2000 litre Water tanker + 10 x 20 & 25 litre containers
The water tank is trailer mounted with fitted fire fighter pumps and hoses for easy distilling. The trailer will be collected from the hire company at Jamestown in the week leading up to the event. The service provider will have it fill with at least 1500 litres of rainwater. Top up can be done at Darren Robinson’s property if required. Additional 20 and 25 litre water drums to be filled at Darren Robinson’s property in the lead up week.
W1. 1000 litre IBC unit partially filled with 500 litres of water
Olivier Fahy’s IBC unit to be used mounted on trailer. Tap and hose arrangement for competitor use. Unit to be filled at Darren Robinson’s property and then placed on preceding Friday. The additional water will be added to the unit for filling water drums at W2. Collection of trailer and unit can be done from 10.30am on the Sunday of the event so that any spare water can be used at the HH if required.
W2. 12 x 25 litre containers - 300 litres
Olivier Fahy’s IBC unit to be used to supply water to the 12 x 25 litre water drums at this site. Water drums to be situated approx. 50m of the road adjacent boundary fence. Chain or SS wire to be used to lock containers together to prevent theft. Water casks to be filled and placed on the Friday preceding the event. Collection can occur from Midday on Sunday.
W3. Scout 1000 litre unit partially filled with 500 litres, mounted on plinth on ground
Use one of the two scout supplied IBC units. Mark Corbett to fill one IBC (1000 Litres) at Darren Robinson’s property on the preceding Friday. The empty unit to be off loaded at W3 and partially filled from the remaining trailer mounted unit. Unit to be placed Saturday morning of the event.
W4. Scout 1000 litre unit partially filled with 500 litres – trailer mounted
Use the second of the two scout supplied IBC units. This IBC unit will remain as a trailer mounted unit. Unit to be placed Saturday morning of the event and collection can occur from 11.30am Sunday morning.
W5 (private property – Darren Robinson). 600 litre – trailer mounted
Use Adrian Uppill’s trailer mounted 600 litre container which has a multiple tap arrangement. Unit to be filled at Darren Robinson’s Whyte Yarcowie homestead property on the preceding Friday and placed on the same day. Unit can be collected from 10.30am on the Sunday for use at the HH if required.
W6. (private property) 12 x 25 litre containers – 300 litres
12 x 25 litre water drums at this site. Water drums to be situated approx. 10m off the road on property access track. Chain or SS wire to be used to lock containers together to prevent theft. Water casks to be filled on the Friday and placed on the Saturday of the event. Collection can occur from Midday on Sunday.
Water Container supply
We will need
- 12 + 12 (24 x 25litre) water casks at two of the water drops,
- 10 water casks at the Hash House
- 3 x 1000 litre IBC units at the water drops
- 1 x 600 litre trailer mounted container at a water drop
- 1 x 1000 litre IBC for use to fill the Toilets (note water from this IBC not fit for human consumption)
Total = 34 x 25 litre water casks – SARA x 30 & Craig Colwell x 4
4 x 1000 litre IBC units – Scouts x 2, Olivier Fahy x 1 & Darren Robinson x 1
1 x 600 litre trailer mount - Adrian Uppill
Summary of vehicles available
- Event Organiser, Craig Colwell – Nissan Patrol 4WD + Hired HD Trailer
- Event Setters, 4 vehicles – 2 x 4WD & 2 x 2WD – (including Mark Corbett’s 4WD + Scout trailer)
- Admin Volunteer, Olivier Fahy – 4WD + HD Trailer
- Admin Volunteer, Peter Geelen – Nissan Pathfinder 4WD
Attached diagrams
Overview Map
BOM temperature guide
Darren Robinson’s homestead and tank location
Robinson Farm showing rainwater storage location
Robinson farm location in respect to HH location