Eco-explainer: Should you open up fire hydrants to cool off?

As heat waves continue through the end of Summer, fire hydrants are one way residents cool off. But it’s an illegal – and unsustainable – habit.

Driving through certain streets in Philadelphia, you may get a soapless car wash by an unexpected open fire hydrant.

The City of Philadelphia has over 25,000 fire hydrants. But, they shouldn’t be used for cooling off from the summer heat.

An open fire hydrant can waste approximately 2000 gallons of water per minute?! They can also cause bodily harm due to the force, flood damage (flooded basements), and cause damage to the hydrant, jeopardizing its use in case of emergency fires.

It’s also illegal to open fire hydrants.

What should you do if you see an open hydrant?

You can call the Philadelphia Water hotline at 215-685-6300 to report an open fire hydrant.

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Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.