El Niño Preparedness Checklist for Rural and Regional Properties

El Niño seasons don’t give much warning. Winter finishes and before you know it, the spring is heating up quickly, bringing summer temperatures and droughts faster and earlier than expected.

Long-range outlooks from the Bureau of Meteorology can provide some insight, but once they come in, your window for action is already closing as everyone else is acting too, causing surges and delays in supply chains. You can read more about how El Niño seasons impact tank supply on our blog and see why it’s so important to act early!

This article will explore the steps rural and regional property owners should take as soon as El Niño conditions are speculated to prepare your property.

Water Storage

Ensuring you have adequate water storage is the number one priority. El Niño seasons can bring long periods of drought, leaving your property, crops, and livestock vulnerable. If you run out of stored water prematurely, you will experience issues across every other category simultaneously.

Here are some steps you should take in spring to ensure your water storage lasts:

• Assess current storage capacity across all tanks, dams, and rainwater collection points and compare it against your estimated daily consumption for livestock, household, and irrigation
• Assess whether current storage capacity is sufficient for a 60–90 day dry period at current consumption rates; if not, add capacity with additional water tanks before demand peaks
• Inspect all water tanks for damage, such as UV degradation, wall cracking, fitting leaks, and sediment buildup, and address any issues
• Check inlet screens, leaf strainers, and first-flush diverters on rainwater tanks, and clear any blockages that could reduce catchment efficiency
• Confirm tank lids and breather fittings are functioning correctly to prevent stress on the tank walls during pump extraction

Water Access and Distribution

Once you have confirmed you have enough water storage capacity to make it through the dry periods, you need to consider how you can reliably get it where it needs to go. Pumps, pipes, and systems that have been unused through the winter months may not perform as expected when they’re suddenly running consistently  through a hot summer. 

Testing and maintenance now avoids failure at the worst possible time:

• Test all pumps under load and check for unusual noise, vibration, reduced flow, or pressure irregularities and address any issues
• Inspect pump inlet connections for air leaks in the suction line and address them as required to prevent failure during sustained demand
• Check anti-vortex plate fittings on tanks connected to pumps and confirm they are correctly installed and undamaged or replace if deformed or corroded
• Inspect all in-line filters between tank outlets and pump intakes and clean or replace any damaged or worn filter elements
• Check all flexible couplings between tank outlets and rigid pipework and replace any showing cracking, stiffness, or deformation
• Inspect reticulation pipework, troughs, and distribution points for leaks and address issues as required
• Test float valves in troughs and header tanks 
• Confirm all outlet valves open and close fully to ensure full control over drainage
• Inspect and test all cartage tanks for damage and repair or replace as necessary to ensure you have a reliable way to transport water
• Order additional cartage tanks to meet demands early if current capacity is insufficient

Fire Preparedness

El Niño conditions that reduce water availability simultaneously increase fire risk. It is important to ensure you have a practical on-site fire fighting system to protect your property in the event of a bush fire.

• Order a fire fighting tank and kit early if you don’t already have one
• Confirm on-site fire fighting water reserve volume
• Inspect static fire fighting tanks for structural integrity, fitting condition, and valve operation
• Check pumps connected to the fire fighting reserve and confirm flow rate and pressure, and service if necessary 
• Inspect hose, nozzle, and connection fittings and replace any parts showing signs of cracking, perishing, or corrosion
• Confirm the fire fighting cartage tank is correctly mounted, secured, accessible, and that all outlet valves operate properly

Livestock Water Management

Livestock feel the heat as much as we do, if not more, leading to higher water consumption to combat heat stress. Water access and capacity that suffices in mild conditions may be inadequate when demand increases. 

To ensure livestock have sufficient access to water:

• Calculate peak daily water requirements for current livestock numbers under extreme heat conditions
• Check trough capacity and refill rate against peak demand, and increase capacity if current setup is insufficient
• Inspect all troughs for leaks, sediment, and algae buildup and clean if necessary
• Map the furthest watering point from your storage source and calculate delivery time under worst-case conditions. Identify any potential failure points in the delivery route and address them
• Identify paddocks at highest risk of water supply failure and plan contingency access, such as rotating livestock out of these paddocks
• Check shade availability at key watering points shade at troughs can help reduce demand
• Confirm you have a cartage tank available and operational for emergency water delivery to remote paddocks if pipeline or trough failure occurs. Order one early if you don’t have one already

Infrastructure and Site Readiness

The dry conditions that accompany El Niño seasons can also affect the soil, roads, and structures that determine how well a property can be managed when conditions are at their worst. Preventive maintenance now minimises issues when conditions worsen.

• Inspect all concrete tank bases and slabs for cracking or uneven settling and address any issues before water tanks are at full capacity
• Check tank bunding for structural integrity and drainage function
• Inspect chemical storage areas and confirm all chemical tanks are correctly labelled, fittings are leak-free, and bunding is in place and compliant
• Check access tracks to remote water points and repair any surfaces that would become impassable in fine-dust dry conditions or after an isolated storm event
• Inspect diesel storage tanks and fuel supply and confirm adequate fuel reserves for extended pump operation through a dry period without deliveries
• Service any generators that provide backup power to pumps

Emergency Planning and Communication

In addition to ensuring you have the right, fully-functioning equipment and infrastructure for water storage and distribution, you also need to prepare for emergencies. El Niño conditions can create emergencies quickly, so it’s important to be prepared.

• Test UHF radio and confirm emergency channel access to ensure reliable communication during emergencies
• Check your first aid kit is stocked and accessible
• Ensure all workers and family members on the property know the location of: fire fighting equipment and water reserves, pump controls and manual overrides, and emergency fuel supplies
• Confirm emergency contact numbers are readily available to everyone on-site
• Register for your state’s emergency alert system
• Review your property’s fire management and evacuation plan, and ensure everyone on-site knows it
• Confirm your insurance coverage is current and that your water storage and fire fighting infrastructure is adequately listed

Prepare for El Niño Conditions Early

El Niño conditions can come on fast. Once the Bureau of Meteorology predicts these conditions you only have a few short months to prepare, so it’s important to start working through this checklist as soon as possible to ensure you’re ready. Place any orders for water tanks, cartage tanks, or fire fighting kits as early as possible to prevent getting caught out by increased demand.

Global Rotomoulding can help you identify the right water tank configurations for your rural or regional property to ensure you make it through the dry season with minimal impact. Contact our team today to discuss your needs and get your order in before supply tightens and wait times extend.