FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE01-22
June
26, 2001
Contact: Geoff Ryan
(718/595-6600)
DEP
Issues Hydrant Safety Advisory
As extreme heat is expected in the City this week, Commissioner Joel A.
Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection
has asked New Yorkers to avoid illegal opening of fire hydrants.
"Hydrants are for fighting fires, not for having fun," said Commissioner
Miele. "Each time a hydrant is opened illegally, a thousand gallons of
precious New York City water are wasted each minute --that's over one million
gallons per wide-open hydrant in a 24-hour period. Also," he continued,
"children can be at serious risk, because the powerful flow of a fully
flowing hydrant can push them into oncoming traffic."
Illegally running hydrants can lower water pressure in the City's neighborhoods,
and can hinder firefighting efforts by reducing the flow of water to firehoses
and pumps. In addition, it is always wise to conserve water during heat waves
when water use tends to be unusually high.
To cool off safely, if you can't get to the nearest City pool or beach,
you can contact your local fire house and request a spray cap that fits on
to the neighborhood hydrant and will reduce the water flow to a safe 25 gallons
a minute. The Fire Department will instruct you on how to apply the spray
cap.
To report illegally opened hydrants or other water or sewer complaints,
please call the Department of Environmental Protection's 24-Hour Help Center:
(718) DEP-HELP (337-4357). For more information on water conservation, see
the How Can I Save Water? section of DEP's Web site at www.nyc.gov/dep.