| Every Scranton fire hydrant was
tested last May and a list of those that did not work was turned over to the city. But
that does not mean the Fire Department knows each and every one of the 1,200 hydrants that
is out of service.
The Pennsylvania-American Water Co. turned a list of the broken hydrants over to the
city after they were tested as part of the utilitys flushing program, Dave Guskey,
operations manager for distribution said.
Mr. Guskey said the company could not release the list but suggested it could be
obtained from the city.
Fire Chief Harvey Applegate, however, was reluctant to release the list without first
determining which hydrants had been repaired or replaced.
He said he would prepare an updated list of hydrants out of service and provide that to
The Scranton Times when it is ready.
Both Chief Applegate and firefighters union president Michael Ferke said they think the
city should test the hydrants but claimed the utility will not allow it.
Mr. Guskey said the utility does not like the city to test the hydrants because it
disrupts service but the utility is willing to test hydrants when requested.
If they want us to test them we will, Mr. Guskey said. We have done it in the past.
The utility also installs new hydrants for the city, he said, but it is done on a
priority basis.
If the city gives us a list, we ask them to prioritize the list, he said. We get to
them as soon as we can.
Once a request is delivered, Mr. Guskey said, it takes at least three days before PAWC
can begin work. The company must notify all other utilities that might have lines in the
area and those lines have to be located. |
