HEIGHTS — The Fire Department has begun testing approximately 100 of its fire hydrants in selected areas of the city through Dec. 30.
Two specific areas of the city are targeted for the tests:
South end: The area east of Pelham, bordered by Dartmouth, Outer Drive, Van Born and Southfield roads (up to the city limits of Dearborn and Allen Park).
North end: The area bordered by Telegraph, Joy Road, West Parkway and Ann Arbor Trail.
The remaining testing dates are: Oct. 26, 28 and 30; Nov. 4, 6, 13, 17, 24 and 26; and Dec. 1, 3, 10, 14, 21, 23, 28 and 30.
Fire officials said that in rare cases, the testing can result in small amounts of rust coloration in the water. This is not harmful if consumed, and will dissipate quickly on its own at the conclusion of the tests. Laundering white or light-colored fabrics in discolored water could result in rust-colored stains. Residents should look closely at the clarity of their water during this time before drinking tap water and laundering any white or light-colored fabrics – and if the water is affected, waiting briefly until it clears.
According to, “Hydrants, like any mechanical device, must be checked periodically to ensure they are still in good working order,” Fire Marshal Jeff Pierzynski said. “In many cases, these hydrants can sit unused for extended lengths of time – so we need to open them up from time to time to ensure they are still functioning properly. We realize this can cause some minor inconveniences for our residents. However, in order to ensure the safety of our residents, we need to make sure these water sources are working properly in the event we need to access them in an emergency.”