The Brookings City Council has adopted an new ordinance providing controls over who uses water from City fire hydrants, and for what purposes.
“During the 2015 drought, it became obvious that the City needed to tighten controls with regards to water usage from fire hydrants,” said Public Works and Development Director LauraLee Snook. “In the past, keys to unlock hydrants were issued to various agencies and contractors without being tracked. We had no idea how many keys had been handed out or who had them. Implementation of these new regulations will alleviate that situation.”
Under the new regulations, the City will continue to sell water to other public agencies in emergency situations and in support of construction projects. The City has established two metered hydrants from which water may be purchased. Subject to drought conditions, the City may also sell water to private parties.
The new regulations will take effect February 10, 2016.
Contractors and agencies seeking to access water from City hydrants must submit a written request to the Public Works and Development Director who will then take the request to the City Council for approval.