Dunk tanks in South Bay coming under fire for wasting water

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- As the weather warms up, dunk tanks are appearing at school carnivals, street fairs and even company events. But filling and then draining them in a matter of hours seems like water waste to some people, as we endure this California drought.

Dunk tanks can be a lot of fun, but it takes 450 gallons of fresh water to fill them. And that's what concerned employees at the Santa Clara Marriott when this dunk tank appeared in their parking lot.

As part of Employee Appreciation Week, a sign-up list said "associates will be able to donate $1 for the chance to dunk a leader..." including the hotel's general manager. The money raised will go to the Children's Miracle Network.

After ABC7 News started inquiring about the dunk tank, it was suddenly dismantled. The hotel said it was a non-profit that had booked the event, although a Marriott manager's email address is at the bottom of the sign-up sheet.

An employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they think the dunk tank is a waste of water in a drought. We saw a hose leading to the tank is connected to a fresh water spigot.

The employee told ABC7 News, "I think it's, for better terms, a lack of respect for the community a little bit. They have a swimming pool they can use and suffice."

ABC7 News was in East San Jose when a dunk tank was delivered to the KIPP Prize Preparatory Academy on King Road for a weekend carnival. A teacher organizing the event said the school had been conserving water to offset the 450 gallons needed for the dunk tank.

However, the company that rented the tank to the school has an alternative -- a waterless dunk tank that contains 3,500 plastic balls instead. It's the same fun, drought-friendly and no one gets wet.

"We came up with the idea not only from a business standpoint, but from an environmental standpoint, and I hope it turns out to be a good thing," Fun Services Bay Area owner Jay Ledford said.

To put it in perspective, 450 gallons of water is equivalent to 12.5 filled bathtubs.

If you think someone is wasting water where you live, send an email to abc7listens@kgo-tv.com and we'll investigate.