April 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City to Begin Testing Fire Hydrants
DECATUR - The City’s fire and water departments on April 6 will begin flow testing about 1,500 fire hydrants throughout the city and surrounding area.
Although flow testing may result in some minor, temporary, water discoloration in the areas, there is no health or safety concern for water customers. The testing and certification of fire hydrants and water supplies for firefighting is an important part of providing essential fire and emergency services to the residents of Decatur and Macon County.
Most communities throughout the country perform this function annually in an effort to determine whether water supplies are adequate for the structures, exposures, and economic infrastructure that we are obliged to protect in case of fire or other emergency. The availability of a patent water supply for fire department operations is one of the greatest single factors in determining community risk and mitigation analysis and for determining insurance rates.
Testing will continue throughout the summer. For more information contact the Decatur Fire Department at 424-2811.