Upgraded fire hydrants to increase fire protection for older neighborhoods in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, Calif. - Some fire hydrants here in Santa Maria are newer than others.

But the the oldest ones are, well, they’re old.

“Definitely long overdue this neighborhood has very old for hydrants I
think they were actually installed back in the 1950s so definitely overdue," said engineer Zoe Glick of the City of Santa Maria.

The city will replace 11 undersized fire hydrants with modern full size
hydrants.

“Currently the hydrants are connected to the mainline water system and
so if somebody runs into a water hydrant or something like that then you
know you could end up with a big a big mess on your hands," said interim director Brett Fulgoni of the Santa Maria Public Works Department.

The water lines going to the hydrants are also being replaced and upsized.

This will save water in the event someone hits a hydrant.

“Water is really important ... so if we can put in these new hydrants that
have the shut off valves ... and we will be able to have it much faster
much safer," said Glick.

City managers say their replacement of the fire hydrants won’t be a complex
project, as it will take about a month from the time they start.

"We have a lot more than 11 hydrants to replace in the city," said Glick.

In the long run, the new fire hydrants will increase fire protection for
older neighborhoods while also conserving water.

"I’m hoping that we can make Santa Maria  more water efficient and safer," said GLock.

The project is expected to begin in May.