CONTRADICTIONS Between Carmel Fire Department & Cal Am

 
NOT IN SERVICE Fire Hydrant
Location: Ocean Av. & San Antonio Av., N.W. Corner 

At the Post Office, the Carmel Fire Department distributed information on the water situation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Specifically, the information details the inspections and tests that fire departments throughout the United States conduct; the annual inspection of fire hydrants and a 5 year cycle hydrant flow test where typically 20% of the fire hydrants are tested in a given year, completing all hydrants every 5 year period. Moreover, the information states “a significant amount of older pipes supplying Carmel’s fire hydrant system are no longer delivering the proper amount of water in gallons and pressure. What this has required us to do is throw the 5 year cycle plan and test flow all of our hydrants this year.”

Additionally, the “Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006” information states:

“In order to conduct hydrant flow tests, the fire department needs to have permission from the water company, based primarily on available water (i.e. not during a drought). With the exception of special circumstances, a local water company representative needs to be on hand while fire department personnel conduct the tests.”

Yet, correspondence with Steve Leonard, Vice President and Manager, California American Water Company, contradicted the Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006 statements involving the need for permission from Cal Am in order to conduct hydrant flow tests and the need for a Cal Am representative “to be on hand,” although as Steve Leonard states, “We do try to coordinate with the Department when they are flushing to keep track of the water usage.” Steve Leonard stated that “It is my understanding that recent hydrant testing has not regularly occurred. To my knowledge the Department does not need our permission to flush.”

Presently, as of Friday, 13 October 2006, Cal Am has received the testing results from the Carmel Fire Department. Cal Am is currently analyzing the results from “the water systems point of view.” After Cal Am completes their preliminary review, Cal Am will coordinate with the Carmel Fire Department to “prioritize the corrective actions.”