Google, the search engine giant, has donated 30 huge water storage tanks to fire departments and other government agencies in Oklahoma. The company has a data center in Oklahoma and uses large quantities of water for cooling, but they no longer had a use for these 10 by 30 foot tanks that weigh 15,000 pounds and hold about 20,000 gallons.
“We have fantastic public servants in Mayes County and all over the state,” Mike Wooten, Google data center operations manager, said in a prepared statement. “We hope these water storage tanks will help make their jobs easier in emergency situations and provide an ongoing benefit for many Oklahomans.”
In addition to being used by fire departments, three will go to Oklahoma State University’s Fire Service Training facility near Stillwater, which will use them to train state firefighters. Currently their water system does not have adequate pressure to provide the type of training needed.
If new, the tanks would have cost $1.6 million.
Some public agencies are considering converting the tanks into tornado shelters for government employees. They plan to install a door, then partially bury them and cover what remains above the ground with dirt.
