By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-950924.mp3
Dallas, TX – Hundreds of residents at the Arbrook Park apartments in Arlington have been told to get their drinking water from a nearby fire hydrant while weather-related repairs are being made. KERA's Shelley Kofler says some residents are worried that may not be safe.
Eduardo Grace says he and others at the Arbrook Park apartments have been without water since last Wednesday. He assumes the problem stems from frozen pipes but isn't sure. What Grace is sure about is that apartment managers have told residents to get their drinking water from nearby fire hydrant water. Grace says that's not adequate and he's concerned it's not sanitary.
Grace: We are asked to drink water out of a fire hydrant. I do not see signs anywhere on the complex referring to the office get bottled water. The contraption they set up is simply a hose on the ground in the mud. It would be acceptable if they defined what the water is for maybe to be put in the toilets. But the fact they said that water is for drinking that is 100 percent unacceptable.
The city of Arlington says it was first notified about the loss of water at Arbrook Park on Friday. Code compliance manager Neal Lucas confirms the city assisted the apartment complex in adapting the hydrant for emergency purposes while repairs are being made. Lucas wants to reassure residents, the hydrant water is safe to drink.
Lucas: The water coming out of the hydrant is potable water. Residents do need to take care to put the water in a clean container. As far as the water hose being placed on the ground that's something that will be taken care of as soon as I get off the phone.
Lucas says apartment managers appear to be working as quickly as they can. He says water was restored to some of 400 units this afternoon.
Apartment resident Grace says he's appreciate some bottled water and more information about what's going on.
Managers at Arbrook Park near I-20 and Matlock in Arlington have been unavailable to comment.