A survey of the 133 fire hydrants on the Century water system found that 17 are in poor to failed condition. Seven of those don’t work at all.
A Century Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan from the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) found the problems. The plan was accepted and approved by the town council recently.
Just five hydrants are classified as being in good to excellent condition. There are 91 (81% of the total) in average condition with only minor to moderate corrosion, broken chains, minor leaks, or needing paint.
Seven are in poor condition with moderate to heavy corrosion, some difficulty turning, too low the ground or other problems.
Three are in very poor condition that need to be service or repaired within the next three years, according to the water association. They are knocked over, or are leaning too much.
Six of the seven failed hydrants have seized operating nuts and one has a broken stem that spins freely. FRWA says the fire hydrants need to be replace immediately for fire prevention capabilities and to allow the water system to be flushed to maintain drinking water quality.
It will cost an estimated $29,500 to replace the seven failed hydrants, plus $5,000 to repair the 10 poor to very poor condition hydrants, according to FRWA.
Here are the fire hydrants in poor to failed condition:
FAILED
East Pond St/Ramar St — Operating nut seized, severe corrosion
Jefferson Ave/Mayo Lane – Operating nut seized
Jefferson Ave south of Jim Lane — Operating nut seized
Highway 4 north of Campbell Rd – Operating nut seized
Old Flomaton Rd — Operating nut seized
N Century Blvd/Tedder St — Stem broke, spins freely
Front St/Lodge Dr — Operating nut seized
VERY POOR CONDITION
Jefferson Ave SW of Church St – Knocked over
Alger Rd south of Plum St — Leaning backward 45 degrees
N Century Blvd/W Cottage St — Leaning 30 degrees, operating fine
POOR CONDITION
2nd St between Industrial and Hadley — Operating nut super tight, needs grease
N Century Blvd SW of Hudson Hill Rd — Leaning significantly, too low to the ground
Campbell Rd/Fannie Rd — Operating nut super tight, needs grease, front outer welded
Freedom Rd/Camellia Gardens – Significantly leaking, operating nut super tight
Old Flomaton Rd — (no reason provided)
Mayo St/Church St – Too low to the ground, needs to be raised
Hwy 29 west of Jackson St – Buried to outlets
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
