If you were a resident of Hampton Roads in 2011, you may remember the day of the jet crash… Most of us agree it was truly a miracle that not a single life was lost in that horrendous crash. The incident made headlines across the country, but what didn’t make headlines was the fact that the quick response was made possible, in part, by tap water. It’s something we use (and take for granted) every day, but the day of the jet crash in April of 2011, reminded us all just how important it really is. Here’s the article that was written about it in the “Pipeline” newsletter…
Many people called last April’s jet crash at the Mayfair Mews Apartment complex nothing short of a miracle, since no fatalities were reported from the wreck. While the lack of fatalities was miraculous, the quick containment of the fire was also incredible. The containment of the fire was due, in large part, to our city’s fast-acting emergency responders and well-maintained infrastructure.
Pumping more than 7,000 gallons of water per minute onto the blaze, firefighters were able to extinguish the Mayfair Mews fire in less than an hour – a feat that would never have been achieved had they not been guaranteed adequate flow and water pressure from Virginia Beach fire hydrants. The amount of water used during that time was equal to nearly one-third of the city’s entire water demand; yet the water flowed without a hiccup.
The fact that the hydrants performed so well was no stroke of luck. Members of the Department of Public Utilities routinely inspect and test each of the 10,000 fire hydrants in Virginia Beach. As committed as we are to bringing you the highest quality drinking water, we are just as committed to building and maintaining dependable infrastructure, so that when an emergency situation arises – no matter how unexpected or inconceivable – the city is well-equipped to protect the safety of its citizens.
To read the full version of the Sep/Oct 2012 “Pipeline” newsletter, click here.