Hydrants Padlocked in Ill. Community

They are red and look like any other fire hydrant. But, they have something else others don't -- padlocks.

In Groveland, Ill., the hydrants aren't to be used by firefighters. They're for flushing.

They've been allowed to use one near the water tower to fill engines. But, the others were off limits.

Under pressure, water officials wavered a bit, saying they could use a second hydrant. But it came with a requirement -- the fire district has to get liability insurance in case there's a problem, according to The Journal Star. 

The appointed water board say they are chartered to provide potable water not for firefighting. Residents want that changed. During a poll at a meeting last week, in which, residents were allowed to weigh in, the vote was 19-0, the paper reported.

Bill Anderson, an attorney who represents a nearby municipality that handles fire calls in Groveland, can't believe the hydrants are locked. 

“I’ve been in municipal (legal) work for 35 years, and I’ve never known such a thing was possible,” Anderson told the reporter. “If you’ve got an 8-inch main, you can do anything. Hook up the hoses, and rock and roll.”

Les 'Woody' Knollenberg, president of the Groveland Fire Protection District, said it's 'crazy' not to rely on the new eight-inch mains, the paper reported.

A township official added that visitors often ask why a fire hydrant would have a lock on it.