Street sweeping trucks defying water ban
Posted May 9, 2011 06:03:33 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Even though Ottawa South is under an outdoor water use ban, many residents are complaining that street sweeping trucks are using fire hydrants in their neighborhoods to fill their tankers.
However, under municipal regulations, these trucks are only granted access to specific hydrants across the city.
They are called flusher hydrants – fire hydrants that can be used by private water companies to fill their tanker trucks and deliver.
They pay for that water, but the payment is based on the honour system.
There are no meters on the fire hydrants. Gloucester-South Nepean Coun. Steve Desroches says it may not be cost-effective to install meters.
Barrhaven Coun. Jan Harder wants city staff to see just how much they would cost, as long as they do not hinder firefighter access.
