This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the common practice of opening fire hydrants to cool off in summer and to wash cars. [See our editor’s note on this further below for FDNY recommendations, as previously published.]

“Oh, that’s not nice! Sometimes, in the building the water gets dirty, and the pressure gets low, and we can’t get water. They have to stop these people from opening the hydrants. The fire department caps should be on every hydrant.”

Willie Longo,

Bedford Park

“Opening the hydrants is a problem on the block because all the guys line up with their cars. They wash their cars; it’s like a meet-up spot and that hydrant is constantly on for car washing on a regular basis.

There was a cap on it, but they have something that they do themselves to it. It’s like they take it off and put it back on. Obviously, if there’s a fire there’s not going to be any water. I would like to see it the way it’s supposed to be, and not abused.”

Barbara Shoulars,

Bedford Park

“I think it’s a bad idea. First of all, it is so bad to see the wasting of water when in other countries they’re dying for water. It’s so sad; it hurts me to see them do that because water is so precious that we have to conserve it.

So, I think it’s a good idea to stop this. The police need to issue summonses to penalize these people.”

Marco Miro,

Norwood

“Assuming people are responsible and close the hydrant when they are done, I am okay with it. I don’t have an issue with it. An open fire hydrant is a staple in the ‘hood,’ especially when it’s hot.

 

As long as there isn’t a drought, and water is not scarce, it should be fine. I am also in favor of young individuals hustling to make some extra cash. Washing cars on the block has given some local kids much needed direction and kept them out of trouble.”

Jason Gonzalez,

Olinville

“They can be opened with sprinkler caps but as we enter a heatwave, people will need to cool down. Anyone can get a sprinkler cap at any firehouse and are encouraged to get them and use them. People are discouraged from using a sprinkler cap because it lowers water pressure and can cause a delay if there’s a fire. I think the fire department does a lot to prevent this from happening.”

Sam Esposito,

Ozone Park, Queens

 

Editor’s Note:  When Norwood News queried with the FDNY whether there was a danger of a water shortage in the event of a fire when hydrants are left open, they said in part, “Fire hydrants are connected to the water mains of NYC. A fire hydrant can never be empty. Technically, every fire hydrant is empty until one of our members utilizes the appropriate tool to allow it to flow water.

While missing [fire hydrant] side covers pose a threat to the community [due to the sheer force of the gushing water from the hydrant in the case where a sprinkler is NOT used to reduce such water pressure], it has more to do with litter bugs disposing of garbage within hydrants that can later clog up the hose lines we use to supply water.

When you look inside a fire hydrant, it should not have water pooling within it. In fact, water pooling inside of a hydrant not being used is more of an indication of a problem than an empty hydrant.”