29 of 40 FIRE HYDRANTS "flunked the test"

  
Fire Hydrant
Location: San Carlos St. & 8th Av., S.E. Corner

In The Carmel Pine Cone September 1, 2006 article, “29 HYDRANTS FLUNK TEST, FIRE CHIEF SAYS,” Mary Brownfield reported that 20 percent of the city’s total 201 fire hydrants were tested last month by the fire department and California American Water Company. Contracted Fire Chief Andrew Miller said “29 flunked the test;” that is, water flow in the supply lines was found to be lower than that required to fight fires. Put simply, 29 of the 40 fire hydrants tested “flunked” or 72.5%.

Furthermore, Brownfield wrote, “Though most jurisdictions test 20 percent of their hydrants each year, Carmel hadn’t conducted flow tests since 1995, according to Miller.” While in “Pacific Grove, where Miller is the full-time chief,...,they test their fire hydrants every year and have addressed problems as they arise.”

While it is encouraging that contracted Fire Chief Andrew Miller stated that he intends to test all of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s 201 fire hydrants this year, it is disconcerting that the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea has not proactively conducted tests every year, as is the norm for cities.

Finally, a core function of a city government is the health and safety of its citizens. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has 1) a decrepit 1920s water supply system infrastructure at the beginning of the 21st century, 2) an 11-year record of failing to test the city’s fire hydrants and water supply lines and 3) an expired, hence delinquent, contract with the city’s firefighters. This record is indicative of a city government abysmally failing its citizens in terms of health and safety.

P.S. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s antiquated water supply system infrastructure is another reason why the City Council’s policy of not expending some of the city’s $8 million in reserve funds to modernize this infrastructure is unconscionable.