Long Island experienced its first snowstorm of the year, and it’s likely that we will see our share of more snowfall this season. While many residents are concerned with keeping the roadways clear and shoveling out their cars, keeping local area fire hydrants clear from snow is just as important.

The South Farmingdale Water District (SFWD) is asking local residents to be aware of any fire hydrants that may become buried during a snowstorm or after a snowplow comes through the neighborhood. Snowplows may blanket many of the District’s fire hydrants, making it nearly impossible to locate them quickly in emergencies. In the event of a fire, precious time is lost when firefighters have to locate and shovel out fire hydrants before hooking up to them.

SFWD is responsible for the maintenance of all 1,250 fire hydrants within our District, a public safety measure often taken for granted. Hydrants require regular painting to remain visible to firefighters. The District also routinely tests all hydrants for performance, inspects them for leaks and flushes them to maintain maximum pressure.

As members of the communities they serve, SFWD Water Commissioners are very aware of safety and operational issues that affect us all. They stated, “We have a deep sense of personal responsibility to our fellow neighbors and we thank all our consumers in advance for their cooperation in keeping fire hydrants visible this winter.”