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.

Supplies

1.5m length of 90mm PVC stormwater pipe
1 x 90 degree 90mm PVC pipe bend (male - female ends)
1 x 90 degree 90mm PVC pip bend (female - female ends)
1 x 90mm end cap
1 x PVC cement (make sure it is drinking water safe)

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.

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!

Comments

[AndyA2877]

A cheap addition is to cut the top off a 1.5L plastic water bottle. Make some tiny holes in the bottle cap. Place it cap down into the opening, a stone helps it stay in place. This stops small creatures and Mosquitoes from entering the main reservoir

[allthingsthreeD]

that is very clever

[bazrgoer]

What a great idea!! For those of us that do not have bush fires but do have lots of wildlife in our back yards, why not paint the PVC brown so it would blend in with the trees!!

[youcantoo]

Thar could cause the water inside the pipe to become excessively hot due to solar radation

[bazrgoer]

True... had not thought of that. For us it wouldn’t matter as it would be in the woods..

[jay.perez1]

Love it ! It will need some type of waterproof heater here in the US Northeast Winters where there's little unfrozen water available to our critters.

[shloime]

an aquarium-type bubbler might keep it from freezing up.

[jay.perez1]

Good thought. I have a 1,000 gallon fish pond that I use a large bubbler in to keep a hole in the ice to let gases escape but it's 40" deep and the ground provides some insulation and warmth which I assume helps keep if from freezing completely.

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]

Water Level. We found the water level was far too low for most animals to drink out of .... so here is the solution! Modify the water station’s opening by cutting the outlet down to just above the u bend (we used a recip saw) .... the water level will now be just below the lip (rather than 3 or 4 cms below). Please do this so the water stations can be used by animals such as koalas, wombats & wallabies.

Add rocks Instruction should also say to add some rocks so small animals like lizards that may fall in can climb back out.

[AKOldman]

I do not understand what you are saying about the water level. Would you please add a drawing or picture to clarify for us?

[DouglasB93]

What is the water capacity? I would think something based on a standard 5 gallon drinking water bottle would be easier to service if it is far from a water source.

[MikeS771]

Here is and easy fix too use a plastic shopping bag (stretched out over the top inside to make the press fit top piece...air and water tight, we use them in kayaking to make the cheap water proof boxs actually waterproof!

[d ata]

bar =mm H2O/10197
The plastic bag will likely be sucked into the pipe.

[perec3]

I'm curious as to how you stop all the water in the pipe from flowing out?

[WilliamC181]

Vacuum.

[PastorMikelong]

It may have escaped your notice that the end cap is glued to the long end of the pipe. When it is filled with water and stood up, air pressure keeps the water from flowing out.

[perec3]

Thanks ;)

[Gamer4Fire]

The top of the J is sealed, creating a vacuum holding the water in. When the water level in the lower curve of the J gets low enough to let air in, more water comes out until it seals the curve again.

[perec3]

Great!! Thanks for answering! Your idea is great to help animals in need. Regards. P.

[ZexetorM]

First, our hearts here in America go out to our cousins "down under".
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!