Sharon Woynarski bought her residence in the Swift Creek Estates neighborhood just outside of Calgary in 2020. Since then, she has noticed that two fire hydrants in the vicinity have been labeled as non-functional, causing concern among homeowners. According to Woynarski, this situation is alarming.
The company responsible for managing the nine fire hydrants in Swift Creek Estates, Westridge Utilities Inc., maintains that these hydrants are not intended for fire emergencies but rather serve to maintain the community’s drinking water system. Westridge asserts that the hydrants are utilized periodically to flush the water system and isolate specific sections for repairs.
Contrarily, Rocky View County argues that when Westridge assumed control of the water infrastructure from the original developer, agreements were signed indicating that the hydrants are indeed for fire suppression purposes. The county insists that testing must be conducted to ensure adequate water flow and pressure for firefighting.
In August, the county’s fire chief issued an enforcement order against Westridge, citing alleged violations of the local fire hydrant water suppression bylaw. The county claims that Westridge failed to provide inspection records for the hydrants over the past decade, neglected proper maintenance, and did not present a timeline for repairing or replacing the dysfunctional hydrants.
During the appeal hearing, Brendan Dzioba, legal representative for the county, emphasized that the historical lack of enforcement does not absolve Westridge of current obligations. Westridge’s president, John Gruber, contends that the hydrants were not designed for fire suppression and refutes the county’s claims.
The unresolved dispute between Rocky View County and Westridge regarding the functionality of the fire hydrants in Swift Creek Estates continues. Residents like Woynarski are advocating for operational fire hydrants to ensure community safety. The county plans to evaluate all fire hydrants serviced by Westridge to uphold maintenance standards in accordance with the local bylaw and national fire code.