Crystal Fire Hydrants Bundle Up Too
Crystal is trying a new strategy to protect fire hydrants from corrosion — covering them with plastic bags.
“We have covered about 100 to 120 hydrants so far this winter,” said Patrick Sele, Crystal’s lead utility operator.
Crystal’s Public Works Department has covered every fire hydrant situated along a county road with a plastic bag. The hope is that the plastic bags will protect the city’s hydrants from the chemicals used to treat roads.
“The major benefit is we’re preventing corrosion on our hydrants,” Sele said. “So in the event that the West Metro Fire Department has to use a hydrant, it’s operational.”
Other cities covering their hydrants this winter include New Hope and Edina.
Meanwhile, Crystal officials want residents to remember to shovel the snow around the fire hydrants this winter so firefighters can access them in case of an emergency.
