jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Jill Schramm/MDN
Gary Carpenter, a utility operator with the City of Minot, opens a hydrant as Kaitlynn Wiggins, a part-time utility operator with the city, looks on Thursday in southeast Minot. The two are inspecting, flushing and painting hydrants this year as part of an updated maintenance program.
With nearly 2,300 hydrants to maintain, the Minot Fire Department and Public Works Department have come together with a new long-term program to better ensure the vital infrastructure will perform when needed.
Flushing activities previously performed by firefighters now are among duties of a two-member crew from the city’s water department who are committing part-time hours to the project into October.