Monarch (PA) Fire Department officials have said that none of the hydrants in town work—and some residents say they haven’t been working for more than 20 years, reports pittsburgh.cbslocal.com.
There are hydrants on every corner and none work, they say. And, on the outside chance they do pump out a little water, it only fills up halfway, which doesn’t suffice.
The department says it has been forced to bring in tankers and water from nearby fill-ups to do the job, which, of course, makes it difficult.
On one such occasion, multiple firefighters were injured in a fire and the home was a total loss, the report says. Officials believe that a larger supply of water would have made a difference in that situation.
North Fayette Water Authority officials say the Monarch hydrants were inspected recently, and all were working. However, they do say that the hydrants boast a low water pressure due to altitude.
A booster system would solve the low-pressure problem—which extends to residences, too—but it would cost upwards of $200,000 to install, the report says.