The Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC) says it is faced with the dilemma of vandalism to fire hydrants which is negating its efforts to deal with fires in the city, a press release stated.

Noting the gravity of the situtaion, the GS&WC said that despite continuous efforts to repair and replace hydrants damaged or destroyed by vandals or accidents, half of the city's hydrants were at present non-functional because of such incidents.

The utility reported that it had installed a hydrant on Vlissengen Road and in less than one hour it had been vandalized.

The GS&WC which is the utility that supplies water to Georgetown has the overall responsibility for ensuring that facilities are available for fire fighting purposes within its boundaries.

According to the release, fire hydrants were provided at a cost of US$1,600 each and their replacement was a heavy burden on the utility's financial resources.

The GS&WC was therefore appealing to residents in Georgetown to be on the look out and to report acts of vandalism and accidents involving fire hydrants as well as damage caused by construction works. "It is important for hydrants to be both available and functional," the release stated.

The GS&WC is also urging members of public and private security agencies to assist both citizens and the utility by helping to protect fire hydrants from acts of vandalism. "Hydrants vandalized may be the ones provided to protect the life and property of your family," the utility said.

Two types of fire hydrants were attached to water distribution mains on city streets. Pillar or standpost hydrants were painted in red or yellow and could be easily identified, while the location of flat hydrants was marked by a red and white or yellow post, the release added.