Bushfire Wildlife Water Station
Intro: Bushfire Wildlife Water Station
The 2019/20 bushfires have devastated large parts of Eastern Australia with millions of native animals killed. Animals that survive the fire desperately need water to recover. This cheap and easy to make water stations can provide a water source for animals such as Koalas, Wombats, Kangaroos, Possums and birds.
All parts should be available from your local hardware store. The water stations can be secured and placed in areas that have been affected by the fires. Be sure to remove the water station after the area has recovered, we don’t want to be littering.
All parts should be available from your local hardware store. The water stations can be secured and placed in areas that have been affected by the fires. Be sure to remove the water station after the area has recovered, we don’t want to be littering.
STEP 1: Join Parts Together
Assemble all of the parts before you glue it together so you know how it will look.
STEP 2: Glue Parts Together
Clean all of the surfaces to be joined. You can use methylated sprits or acetone.
It is critical that all joins are watertight so follow the instructions on the PVC glue bottle. Most PVC glue comes with a brush inside the lid. Make sure both surfaces are evenly coated in the PVC glue before you join. The glue goes off fast so be sure to push parts together firmly and hold as instructed on glue bottle. Use gloves, the glue can be messy if you get in on your hands.
It is critical that all joins are watertight so follow the instructions on the PVC glue bottle. Most PVC glue comes with a brush inside the lid. Make sure both surfaces are evenly coated in the PVC glue before you join. The glue goes off fast so be sure to push parts together firmly and hold as instructed on glue bottle. Use gloves, the glue can be messy if you get in on your hands.
STEP 3: Allow Glue to Dry and Test
To fill with water you will need to lay it flat on the ground and fill until water comes out of the bend. Lift the station upright and water should be just below the open section of pipe. If the water spills out you may have a leak at the top where the end cap is joined. The water should replenish as animals drink.
STEP 4: Install the Station
You can tie the station to a vertical tree or post with rope or cable ties. To refill you will need to remove and lay it flat on the ground.
Great job helping the animals affected by the terrible bushfires!
Great job helping the animals affected by the terrible bushfires!
42 Comments
AndyA2877 4 years ago
allthingsthreeD 4 years ago
bazrgoer 4 years ago
youcantoo 3 years ago
bazrgoer 3 years ago
jay.perez1 3 years ago
shloime 3 years ago
jay.perez1 3 years ago
Would a bubbler work if the pipe was only 8ish inches in diameter and exposed to the cold on all sides ? I know that moving water doesn't freeze as readily but I never thought about the physics behind why that is and not sure how it would play out in this situation.
mamuir1959 4 years ago
Add rocks Instruction should also say to add some rocks so small animals like lizards that may fall in can climb back out.
AKOldman 3 years ago
DouglasB93 3 years ago
MikeS771 4 years ago
d ata 3 years ago
The plastic bag will likely be sucked into the pipe.
perec3 4 years ago
WilliamC181 3 years ago
PastorMikelong 4 years ago
perec3 4 years ago
Gamer4Fire 4 years ago
perec3 4 years ago
ZexetorM 4 years ago
Second, Good on you for thinking of the poor animals suffering through the fires.
Lastly, just a plumber's trick - when you glue pvc together, always give the pieces a quarter twist as you're gluing them together, and hold tightly for about ten or fifteen seconds. Giving that twist will get out any air bubbles that might cause a leak, and holding them tightly together will keep the pieces from pushing out of each other (a natural result of the chemical action of the solvent and glue). Kudos!