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Vehicle strikes hydrant on Christmas; town staff report about 350,000 gallons lost, no boil‑water notice
Summary
Richmond water staff said a vehicle struck a hydrant on Dec. 25, severing the hydrant assembly and releasing about 350,000 gallons over roughly 45 minutes. Crews isolated the tank, towed the vehicle, and reported no boil‑water notice or structural home damage; repairs will require replacing the unit down to the main.
A vehicle struck and broke a fire hydrant on Christmas Day, releasing water officials estimated at about 350,000 gallons over roughly 45 minutes, town water staff told the Richmond Water & Sewer Commission on Jan. 2.
Steve, a water department staff member, described the response: crews isolated the tank, shut valves upstream, had a tow truck remove the vehicle from the hydrant, and ensured the well continued to pump while the system recovered. "We lost 350,000 gallons of water in 45 minutes," the staffer said during the commission meeting.
Commission discussion and staff updates said no boil‑water notice was issued and there were no reports of homes flooded or significant property damage. The crew filled the excavation and refilled the tank by Sunday night; tank level had dropped to a little below 12 feet before isolation and rose back to about 14 feet after isolation, officials said.
Public works staff and on‑scene crew members confirmed the hydrant assembly and the unit from the hydrant to the main will have to be replaced. The excavation was reported to be about 8 feet deep; staff said the repair will require working to approximately the same depth to reach the main.
The commission also noted an exposed gas line near the site that Vermont Gas inspected and found undamaged. Town staff said they have a video of the incident and have shared information with state police and their insurer; a police report and additional follow‑up from the insurer were expected.
Commissioners thanked staff and the responding crew for addressing the incident on a holiday and emphasized that the system avoided a boil‑water order because operators could isolate the tank and maintain pumping. Staff said questions remain about whether additional protective measures (guardrails or bump stops) are warranted at the hydrant location; they described the hydrant as set back off the roadway, beyond the sidewalk and near a line of large rocks.
