Aussie farmers desperately need water

Rural Aid calls for urgent support as the overwhelming demand for water tanks grows among drought-affected farmers across Australia.

The charity has seen an unprecedented surge in requests from farmers desperately needing clean, fresh drinking water. Every six months, Rural Aid calls for water tank applications, with 50 to 100 tanks available each round. Over 250 farmers were queued on the Rural Aid website this week waiting for applications to open, hoping to secure one of the free water tanks offered.

Rural Aid purchases the water tanks and donates them to farmers in need. These tanks provide vital storage for water, enabling farmers to secure a reliable water supply for their families. The demand for these water tanks continues to exceed far what the organisation can supply. Without additional donations, Rural Aid cannot provide tanks to all the farmers who are requesting them.

“We are facing a situation where the demand is simply too great for us to meet,” said Rural Aid CEO Mr John Warlters. “Over 250 farmers have registered in just a short time, and unfortunately, we can only deliver 90 tanks in this round. These water tanks provide more than just water; they offer farmers security and peace of mind so that they can keep their families safe. The community has been very generous in its support of Rural Aid. Further support via a donation will help Rural Aid to respond to this unprecedented demand.”

The overwhelming demand is not limited to a single state; however, South Australia has seen the largest share of applications, underscoring the severity of the current drought crisis. Rural Aid has worked tirelessly to source and deliver over 500 water tanks to families in need, with a significant milestone achieved in December 2024 when the 500th tank was delivered to a family in Gilgandra, NSW. However, this relief remains out of reach for many others still waiting for assistance.

Rural Aid’s efforts are only made possible through the ongoing generosity of its donors. Still, with the number of applicants rising, the need for additional contributions has never been more urgent.

“Our team is doing everything we can to fulfil these requests, but the reality is that we cannot do it alone,” said Mr Warlters. “We need the help of businesses and individuals to help us bridge the gap. Every donation, big or small, directly contributes to providing and filling more tanks and relieving farmers struggling to provide clean water for their families.”

Rural Aid calls on the public to donate so the organisation can meet the overwhelming demand for water tanks and continue providing life-saving support to those who need it most. The next round of water tank applications will open sometime after June, and farmers suffering from potable water shortages registered with Rural Aid can apply.

“It is heartbreaking to know that we can’t fulfil every request at this time,” said Mr Warlters. “But we are committed to doing everything we can to provide this essential resource to as many farmers as possible. We ask the community’s continued generosity to help us answer the call.”

To make a donation visit ruralaid.org.au