Idiots at the water department!

slipgate

So we've had a fire hydrant gushing water in our neighborhood for over a week. I figured they were flushing the mains so we didn't say anything at first. But my wife called this morning and was told there is a note in the system that the hydrant is broke and can't be fixed. uhhh.... so.... what - it just runs forever now?

There are serious draughts going on and this hydrant has been running for weeks at a rate of at least 50 gallons/minute! Also it has got to reduce the effectiveness of the other hydrants in the area.

I'm thinking of calling the TV stations.

dakotashooter2

Thats a bit odd. In our system the hydrant itself is/has a valve then there is an additional shutoff valve to the hydrant. If the hydrabt fails or freezes the valve is shut off to isolate it.

Sperry

The typical hydrant flows at 750 GPM. 60 GPM is a dribble.

There is usually a secondary valve a few feet away, just off the main.

They will be digging it up eventually.

SahaganBeta

Sounds labor bound to me....after all, it's a holiday weekend, and water department personnel need their holiday.

Too bad they aren't automatic.

Sahagan

JamesRK

quote:Originally posted by slipgate
I'm thinking of calling the TV stations.

Do it.

gagirl

Some hydrants dont have the shut off valve. Usually they are the older ones, but they could be right that it may not be able to be fixed. I am surprised that any city/county would allow it to run for over a week though. Our dept would have it dug up and bypassed within 24 hours.(usually less)

select-fire

I am surprised someone didn't drop a box of tide near it. That could get their attention.