Latest news with #firehydrants
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Open hydrants across NYC causing discolored water, low water pressure in homes, DEP says
With the recent heat wave, many are people are using fire hydrants to cool off, however the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is warning people not to. The DEP said their warning is not only for safety concerns, but because of the impact it can have on the water in your home. Beth DeFalco, deputy commissioner at the New York Department of Environmental Protection, says record numbers of open hydrants are causing a widespread issue among the boroughs with discolored water and low water pressure. "We saw almost a near record use of open hydrants and water flow. Probably the highest use that we've seen in at least a decade, if not more. It can cause brown water issues if you disturb some of the sediments because you're not using the right tools and opening it correctly. So that's another thing that we're concerned about. But the biggest concern that we're seeing right now is low water pressure," DeFalco explained. 1,000 gallons of water per minute The DEP is encouraging people to reach out to a local fire department and get the correct sprinkler head. DeFalco said firefighters will install the sprinkler heads for free, and the sprinkler heads will also help cut down on the amount of wasted water. "So an open hydrant that doesn't have a cap on it uses about a thousand gallons per minute of water. A hydrant that's got a cap on it uses about 25 gallons per minute. So yesterday we saw, you know, upwards of a million gallons a day," DeFalco said. Valerie McCray said there have been open hydrants in her Bronx neighborhood. "Yesterday was 20 kids, about 25 kids in that water. Today there's nobody. Look at him. He washing his car. That's the only thing they're doing," said McCray. McCray, who lives near one of the opened hydrants, noticed a difference with the water flowing out of her toilet and faucets. "Right now is not discolored but is so low you can't even wash the dishes," McCray said. According to the DEP, illegally opening a fire hydrant can result in fines of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days or both. If you see a fire hydrant illegally open you are encouraged to call 311 immediately. Click here to learn more about the DEP warning about illegally opening fire hydrants. You can email Erica with Bronx story ideas by CLICKING HERE.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Dry hydrants hinder firefighters at Washington County house fire
Family figuring out what to do next after fire destroys home Family figuring out what to do next after fire destroys home Family figuring out what to do next after fire destroys home Firefighters in Canton Township, Washington County, faced extreme heat and dry fire hydrants on Wednesday, as they worked to put out a blaze that destroyed a home on Best Avenue inside the Town and Country Estates mobile home community. The lack of working hydrants forced crews to have to tank in water, South Strabane Township Fire and Emergency Services Chief Jordan Cramer said. They have faced similar issues fighting fires inside the community over the past three years. "That's difficult," Cramer said. "It's a concern for fire departments, a concern for the residents. It's a concern for us when we're worried about our own people inside of a fire, where water is our lifeline." Neighbors said they believe mobile home park management is responsible for maintaining the hydrants. KDKA reached out to Town and Country Estates but didn't hear back on Wednesday night. Abby Donella, who grew up in the home that was destroyed, had a message for management. "Do better," she said. "I'm sure everybody else would feel safer here, and something like this probably would not be as devastating to somebody else." The 25-year-old believes working fire hydrants could have helped save her family's home. "My dad literally taught me my livelihood in this house," she said. "He taught me how to work on cars, everything from how to be a person, how to live for myself." The home, full of memories, was lost in an afternoon. Donella's parents lived there. "They lost everything," Donella said. "They lost their animals, they lost their memories, they lost their clothes." No one was inside at the time of the fire, but five of the family's pets died in the fire, Cramer said. "It sucks, it's awful," Donella said. Cramer said the fire was an extremely difficult battle for their firefighters because of the heat. When they arrived, much of the house was already involved, he added. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the cause, Cramer said, but it does appear to be accidental. Donella said she's grateful for the community who's helped out her family.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘It's ridiculous': Contractor problems leave South Tampa roads in ruin
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Betsy Smith and her husband Art have been living with a problem for more than two years on their quiet South Tampa street. Many of the people who live on San Carlos Street are dealing with the same issue. PSTA approves first step in bringing back Cross Bay Ferry Smith said the city sent them a letter in 2008, saying they would soon start a project to improve the water pressure and fire safety in the area. '2008, we got our first letter from the city, saying they were going to redo the pipes, the water and the sewer lines,' Betsy Smith said. Then the recession came and the project never started. 'It started again with a letter in there from May of 2023, saying that it was going to be a three-week project,' Betsy Smith said. That was 104 weeks ago, and the project still isn't finished. In fact, the contractor doing the work has walked off the job. San Carlos and other streets in the area have been torn up. There are holes in the streets, water pipes that aren't hooked up stick out of their yard and the water pressure in their homes is still low. 'Then they dug up the pavement, they dug up the curbing and drainage,' Betsy Smith said. Frustrated, she called the city. 'And they were like, 'Oh, well, we're working on it',' Betsy Smith said. In addition to the water pipes that aren't hooked up, there are two fire hydrants on the street that are not connected. 'The communication between the city and the neighborhood has been zero,' Betsy Smith said. A city spokesperson issued a statement, saying: 'This project was designed to improve our water service to this community by replacing nearly 6 miles of aging pipeline and, by doing so, increasing water pressure, improving fire protection, and reducing future water main breaks. The City hired Young's Communication to complete the $5.37 million dollar project, and gave the go ahead to start work in late 2021. In April, however, the contractor stopped the project due to financial reasons, leading the City to declare Young's in default of its contract with the City.' Now, no work is being done at all, and the Smiths and their neighbors are angry. 'It's ridiculous to be put off this long,' Art Smith said. The statement from the city goes on to say, they are working to resolve the issue: 'City employees have submitted a claim against the construction company's performance bond and are working with its insurance company to hire a new contractor to finish the project at no additional cost to taxpayers.' However, at this time, a new contractor has not been selected. Holes remain in San Carlos and other streets and there is no set date for when the situation will improve. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Vancouver influencer's love for fire hydrants sparks online trend
A social media influencer in Vancouver has sparked an online trend, following a unique hobby; rating fire hydrants. CBC's Divya Banerjee caught up with Sadie Morey to find out what makes a hydrant a hit or a miss.
