DISTRICT BRIEFING

Agencies Ordered to Team Up to Fix Hydrants

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The D.C. Council approved emergency legislation yesterday that gives the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and the Water and Sewer Authority 30 days to develop a plan for repairing fire hydrants whose poor maintenance hurt firefighting in major blazes this year.

The legislation requires WASA and the fire department to work together to remedy problems with hydrants and water pressure.

Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7) introduced the resolution and was joined by sponsors Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) in designating the legislation a response to an emergency.

They noted how broken hydrants hindered efforts to fight the blaze that destroyed the Georgetown public library in April and how inadequate water pressure at a hydrant contributed to damage at an Adams Morgan condominium building this month.

The fire department and WASA, a quasi-public agency, have been at odds over which of them should test and maintain hydrants. "There's no more pointing fingers. They have to work, and it has to be a team effort," Alexander said. "It's time to take responsibility. It's a public safety issue."

-- Nikita Stewart