Beringbooding rock tank needs a new roof
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325793)
Rockingham, Australia
November 21, 2020 6:07am CST
Back in August, 2019, I wrote about Berinbooding Rock. And I quote: This is the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia. It was built in 1937 using ‘sustenance labour’ and holds 10.23 million litres.
You can read more about it here: https://www.mylot.com/post/3298004/see-how-strong-i-am. Low rock walls channel the water into the tank. However, no maintenance has been done on the tank for quite some years and it is becoming a danger because of the loose sheets of iron that form the roof.
Now, the State government is asking the Shire of Mukinbudin to take the tank off their hands for a small sum. The water in the tank is still used for agricultural purposes and for fighting fires. However, the Shire estimates it will cost about $100,000 to remove the Beringbooding Tank roof and about $800,000 to restore it to its original condition. This is money that the Shire doesn’t have. The only other available water for the small towns in the area is pumped from Mundaring Weir near Perth.
It will be interesting to see what the outcome will be.
Photo is of the channel that takes water from the rock to the tank on the left. If you look closely, you can see the loose sheets of iron covering the tank. Edit: I've changed the photo to a better one of the tank.
17 people like this
17 responses
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Nov 20
Could it serve its purpose without the roof?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Nov 20
@JudyEv At a time when fresh water is becoming more and more scarce, it would seem foolish to get rid of the tank altogether.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Nov 20
@moffittjc It would indeed but sometimes the authorities are very short-sighted.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
I wondered that too and I'm sure it could but I guess there is a cost involved in removing the roof as it's dangerous at the moment. It's a free camping area and loose sheets of iron flying around could end with a major court case. If the roof was replaced the water could become potable again and used for domestic purposes, as well as for stock and fire-fighting. It seems such a waste to get rid of the tank - and there is even talk of that.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62147)
• United States
21 Nov 20
Given the wildfires in Australia earlier this year, you’d think it would be in everyone’s best interest to modernize a holding tank that provides water for fighting fires. But I gave up trying to understand government a long time ago.....
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62147)
• United States
22 Nov 20
@JudyEv — I can tell by that rather barren thing that looks like a river bed in the photo. Government stupidity isn’t confined to my country, though. 
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
@FourWalls The slopey bit is the edge of the massive rock and the area round the base of the rock all looks like the 'river bed' bit. Here is a photo of part of the rock and the rock wall.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95190)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Nov 20
That is a mouthful to say for the name. I can see the messed up roof pieces
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
21 Nov 20
oh my :( looks 'kin to my place 'n such brings great sadness. much surprised nobody's maintained somethin' so vital? i do hope they get somethin' worked out soon.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
23 Nov 20
@JudyEv so very certain, the same with this place. the hubs'll not listen to such logic. i'll keep fingers crossed someone'll come'p with a solution 'n such not be destroyed. 'tis critical asset to the community, 's well 's historic.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
I think the main problem is that it would be a danger if left unroofed. People often camp there and it's not beyond the realms of imagination that young people would get drinking then decide to swim in the tank, get into difficulties, etc. If the roof was repaired, the water would eventually become potable again too. Some farms in that area struggle just to have enough water for domestic purposes.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15730)
• Canada
21 Nov 20
I hope that they find a solution... especially with everything that is going on at the moment!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
21 Nov 20
I can see the roof has seen better days.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
21 Nov 20
that is really cool and please let us know!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
@DocAndersen I really feel for your country at the moment. Some of the wounds will take a long time to heal I fear.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
22 Nov 20
@JudyEv that is so true. we as you know just finished our election season. But, sadly this time the politicians didn't go home to roost.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86754)
• United States
22 Nov 20
I hope they can come to a satisfactory solution Judy. That is no small issue.
@jstory07 (134465)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Nov 20
It will be interesting to see what will happen to the tank.
