Alberton Record
Metro warns residents not to tamper with fire hydrants
The City of Ekurhuleni has raised concerns over the increasing incidents of fire hydrants being tampered with, primarily for water extraction purposes. With the approach of warmer temperatures and rising water consumption during the spring season, such acts of vandalism are on the rise.
William Ntladi, the media liaison officer of the Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), has issued a warning to the public against interfering with fire hydrants due to the potential catastrophic consequences. Ntladi emphasized the crucial role fire hydrants play in fire suppression, serving as a vital water source for firefighters to swiftly and effectively extinguish fires. Any tampering or misuse of hydrants, in violation of the city’s by-laws, can compromise their functionality, leading to delays in emergency responses and heightened risks to lives and property.
All residents, business owners, including car washes, are reminded that utilizing fire hydrants to fill containers for personal or commercial purposes not only contravenes municipal by-laws but also results in water wastage. The city provides water tankers during water supply disruptions to mitigate the impact and ensure access to clean water for essential needs.
Therefore, individuals and establishments are cautioned against using fire hydrants during such disruptions as it poses a threat to the community and is considered illegal. Ntladi reiterated that fire hydrants should only be utilized for emergency situations.
To safeguard water resources within communities, residents are encouraged to report any instances of tampering with water infrastructure through various platforms, including X Space (Twitter), the official website, email, and the My Ekurhuleni App.
