City to replace leaking hydrant

Clarendon City Administrator Lambert Little says he has received several phone calls about the leaking fire hydrant at Third and Gorst Streets near the First Christian Church and that plans are in place to replace that hydrant in the next 30 days.

Little said the project will be both difficult and expensive.

“Because of its location, we will be required to excavate two places in the brick street as well as in the right-of-way,” Little said. “I know that Clarendon citizens are justly proud of their brick streets. I’m sick at heart that displacement of bricks will be necessary. Every effort will be made to restore the street to original condition.”

The hydrant in question is on a waterline with no valves, and Little said the city can either turn off the water service to the downtown area or have a contractor install two “Hydrostop” temporary valves, which stop the flow of water. With water flow temporarily stopped, the city would then install a hydrant/valve/pipe assembly.

Little said the HydroStop valves will cost about $5,000 and a replacement hydrant is more than $2,000.

“Hopefully we will accomplish this project in as little as two days,” he said. “I will apologize in advance for disruption of the water system as well as disruption of downtown traffic.”