Monroe County Water Authority June 10, 2015 The fire hydrant in Webster at 765 County Line Road was fully functional at the time of the fire at Steve’s Custom Canvas and Upholstery. It worked precisely as it was designed to work, and delivered as much water to the fire as the water main it is attached to was capable of delivering. Unfortunately, as we understand it, the fire spread too fast for it to be controlled by available water and fire department resources. The water main in question included some 6” and 8” sections of main initially installed in 1940 by the town of Webster and paid for through a water district that taxed residents served by it for its construction. In order for this water main to be upgraded for this purpose, residents and businesses in the area would need to petition the town for an upgrade and agree to pay for the costs associated with it through a new water district tax. The Monroe County Water Authority leases the existing infrastructure from the town and maintains it, but does not build new water mains or levy taxes to pay for them. The 25,000 water hydrants maintained by the Monroe County Water Authority are scheduled to be inspected once a year. Minor issues such as leaks are reported and repaired in due course. Major issues, which render a water hydrant unusable, however, are typically repaired or replaced within 48 hours from the time they are reported.
The Monroe County Water Authority responds to a letter from Sandra Frankel, Democratic candidate for Monroe County executive, about the state of the county's fire hydrants.
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Monroe County Water Authority
June 10, 2015
The fire hydrant in Webster at 765 County Line Road was fully
functional at the time of the fire at Steves Custom Canvas and
Upholstery. It worked precisely as it was designed to work, and
delivered as much water to the fire as the water main it is
attached to was capable of delivering. Unfortunately, as we
understand it, the fire spread too fast for it to be controlled by
available water and fire department resources.
The water main in question included some 6 and 8 sections of
main initially installed in 1940 by the town of Webster and paid
for through a water district that taxed residents served by it for
its construction. In order for this water main to be upgraded for
this purpose, residents and businesses in the area would need to
petition the town for an upgrade and agree to pay for the costs
associated with it through a new water district tax.
The Monroe County Water Authority leases the existing
infrastructure from the town and maintains it, but does not build
new water mains or levy taxes to pay for them.
The 25,000 water hydrants maintained by the Monroe County Water
Authority are scheduled to be inspected once a year. Minor issues
such as leaks are reported and repaired in due course. Major
issues, which render a water hydrant unusable, however, are
typically repaired or replaced within 48 hours from the time they
are reported.
