Dave's a water trucker hero

A WARRINGTON “water trucker” is a member of a team of unlikely heroes which has “rescued” more than 250,000 people.
Dave Leffler is one of six water truckers who operate United Utilities’ “Water on Wheels” service.
A fleet of Volvo 30,000-litre super tankers travel across the North West to pump water directly into the mains to ensure that properties continue to receive an ‘on tap’ service while repairs are carried out.
Last year alone, the team helped keep more than a quarter of a million people in full flow, by pumping 24,770,000 litres of water into the system.
Dave, 29, initially joined United Utilities as a 16-year-old apprentice mechanic and now works full time as a member of the Water on Wheels team.
He said: “I love the job. No two days are the same. One day we can be carrying out routine maintenance work, the next we can be working in the heart of a community to help make sure people don’t miss out on their morning shower and cup of tea. There’s genuine satisfaction in knowing that you’ve helped thousands of people get on with their lives – even if they have no idea you were ever there!”
The service has been so successful that United Utilities is to invest more than £1 million in six new 30,000 lire tankers for the fleet, a move that will enable the water truckers to mobilise almost half-a-million litres of water when needed.
For emergency plant resource co-ordinator John Doyle and his team, the investment is welcome news.
He said: “The new kit means we are better equipped than ever before to provide help where it’s needed. Just recently our team kept five tankers pumping into the network for over 48 hours following a burst aqueduct in Rivington. Around 5,000 local people were kept on tap throughout and were unaware of any issue.
“These six guys travel the length and breadth of the North West with the Water on Wheels trucks, making sure that communities, hospitals, schools and businesses remain in full flow, even if their mains supply is undergoing repair work. We’re a bit like the emergency service nobody knows about.”
United Utilities have made a film which takes a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a water trucker and at the services they provide.
It can be viewed at www.unitedutilities.com/waterroadtruckers.aspx
Pictures: Dave Leffler and one of the trucks.