Emergency Water Supply Sign (EWS), Hawarden Airport

Image: © Jeff Buck Taken: 9 Feb 2016

An EWS (Emergency Water Supply) sign on the side of an electricity sub-station at Aviation Park, Hawarden Airport. This appears to be quite a bright example (possibly retouched?) despite the S being cut off by the sub-station door. During World War II Emergency water supplies were laid in many towns and cities to provide a source of water for extinguishing fires and incendiary bombs, should the main supplies be damaged. Many forms of pipe were used, from 6-inch iron pipes laid along gutters, to concrete shuttered trenches and canvas pipes in a metal frame. The cross-section may have been round, rectangular or square. The water ran through these pipes from swimming pools, industrial tanks, specially built temporary tanks and even bombed-out cellars. Dammed-off rivers and streams were also used. These "Static Water Supplies" were to be found all over the place. Sometimes an "SWS" sign turns up (Static Water Supply), rather than an "EWS". *Thanks to Russell W. Barnes and the 'Defence of Cumbria in the 20th Century' web page for the information.

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