Just because there are less city pools open this summer, don't think you can tap into a fire hydrant for relief. Check out these stern words from the Water Department:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hydrant abuse poses serious threat to public safety and health
Illegally opening hydrants to cool off puts residents at risk, wastes water and money
PHILADELPHIA (July 8, 2009) -- This summer in the city, there's nothing cool about unauthorized use of a hydrant. It's a bad idea that wastes water, money, and manpower and puts the health and lives of hundreds, sometimes even thousands at risk, according to Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Bernard Brunwasser.
Last year, the Philadelphia Water Department and Philadelphia Fire Department eliminated its hydrant sprinkler program and established a policy that restricts the use of fire hydrants to city personnel only. The policy change will protect public health and safety and the Fire Department's ability to effectively respond to fire emergencies.
Illegally opened fire hydrants, or hydrant abuse, can result in:
• Injury, death, or property damage due to hampered firefighting efforts.
• Dangerous road conditions. A child playing in the street under a hydrant can be pushed by the water's force into the path of an oncoming vehicle, and motorists' visibility is significantly hampered when driving through the spray of a hydrant.
• Low water pressure, which can disrupt water service for hospitals, schools, businesses, and homes in the immediate area.
• 1,000 gallons of wasted water per minute -- as much in an hour as one household uses in a year
• Contaminated drinking water through cross connections
• Water main breaks
• Flooding in nearby basements
Residents who see an open hydrant are strongly urged to report the violation anonymously by dialing 3-1-1.
The Philadelphia Water Department and Water Revenue Bureau serve the Greater Philadelphia region by providing integrated water, wastewater, and stormwater services. The utility's primary mission is to plan for, operate, and maintain both the infrastructure and the organization necessary to purvey high quality drinking water, to provide an adequate and reliable water supply for all household, commercial, and community needs, and to sustain and enhance the region's watersheds and quality of life by managing wastewater and stormwater effectively. For more information, visit www.phila.gov/water.