Carrollwood Fire Hydrant Project On Track

A project that involves installing more than 80 new fire hydrants throughout Original Carrollwood is nearing completion.

The $1.85 million project began in June and includes 82 new hydrants in the area bordered by Lake Ellen Drive, Busch Boulevard and Dale Mabry Highway, west of Lake Carroll.

All 82 hydrants have been installed, said Mark Dillman, project manager for Hillsborough County Public Utilities. The hydrants must now be flow tested and then activated.

"By March 1, they should all be up and running," Dillman said. "The project has been going relatively smooth."

Under the project 82 new hydrants were installed and nearly three miles of new, 6-inch water pipeline to support the new hydrants.

The subdivisions receiving new hydrants are about 30-40 years old.

"This is part of a project that we have to actually improve the number of fire hydrants in older neighborhoods that don't have enough," said Michelle VanDyke, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County Public Utilities. "This is part of a larger countywide program to improve fire hydrants in areas who don't have enough fire hydrants according to today's code."

Earlier this year, county officials held public meetings with residents to discuss the project. The new fire hydrants are being funded through the Water Enterprise Capital Improvement Program. In Palm River, more than 100 hydrants were installed and 10 miles of water line earlier this year.

When the Carrollwood project began, there were 41 hydrants. When complete the area will have 123 fire hydrants. Once finished, the hydrants will be about 500 yards apart, according to county code.

"It's necessary," VanDyke said. "You can't put a price on a life."

What do you think about the new hydrants in Original Carrollwood? Were they needed in your opinion?