Wow! 100 Year-Old Fire Hydrant Still Going Strong

    The City of Umatilla has received high marks for the maintenance of its water system. In a report presented to the city last week by the Florida Rural Water Association, inspector George Glover described the city’s water delivery system as operating at a high level, with over 98% of the city’s system operating at average or above.
   The 'Drinking Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability' plan is a snapshot tool provided to partners of the FRWA and is used to assist with long-range asset protection and water utility reinvestment programs. The study is also a requirement of participation in the State of Florida's revolving fund loan program.
   It was revealed during the process of evaluating the system that the city has a fire hydrant in service that is turning 100 years old this year. The hydrant, located on Lakeside Avenue just south of city hall was installed in 1923 and continues to operate as new.
   "Hydrants are designed with a 50-year service life," said Glover during a presentation to the Umatilla City Council last week, but the unit continues to function as designed during testing and remains in its long-term home.
   There were items noted for potential upgrades, however, including recommendations to install covers over two city wells at an estimated cost of $2,000, and adding electronic operation systems and other upgrades a the city city’s second well-site at an estimated cost of $154,000.