02:22 PM EST on Thursday, March 18, 2004

By NICOLE ALLSHOUSE / 6NEWS

Charlotte firefighters conducting a yearly check on fire hydrants across the city discovered extremely low water pressure at hydrants at the Providence Country Club and neighbors said they are scared of the potential dangers that it could bring.

“I feel cheated,” said neighbor Kim Grauer. “I thought I could feel safe and now I don’t feel safe. I’m afraid for my children, my friends, everybody.”

Grauer lives in the Providence Country Club neighbor and assumed fire hydrants in her neighborhood worked.

During a yearly check, the Charlotte Fire Department discovered the first five hydrants they tested had extremely low water pressure.

An average hydrant puts out hundreds of gallons of water a minute. Hydrants in the Providence County Club neighbor were putting out less than 20 gallons a minute.

“There should not be a concern about fire protection in this neighborhood,” said Captain Rob Brisley, Charlotte Fire Department.

Until the problem is fixed, portable tankers ready to go. Each carries 1,000 gallons of water.

“Also we carry an average of 500 gallons on every fire truck so we bring our own water,” Brisley said. “Very often we don’t even need a fire hydrant.”

Grauer said that is not the point. “I wonder why and how long it’s been at that pressure before today?”

Around 7 p.m. crews discovered the problem: a couple of valves in the pipe network were inadvertently closed by CMUD, probably during some construction. The valves were reopened and residents are now getting the proper water pressure.