Residents: Broken fire hydrant running for months

Detroiters call The Problem Solvers after they say a fire hydrant in their neighborhood has been gushing water for months.

"It's wasteful, they could be doing something better with that water," said Dion Shepherd. "Like putting out a fire."


Resident Dion Sheperd has watched the fire hydrant across from his home leak 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since late August.

He and other neighbors on Lenox near Herm have called the city several times but the water keeps on flowing and so is their frustration.

"It’s been so strong you could take a bath out of here," said neighbor Deloise Scott. "That is how strong it is."

Residents say it all started when they fire department came and checked the hydrants weeks ago. Crews came back and put up an out of order sign but the problem still persists.

The soil is now saturated with water creating concerns about a possible sinkhole forming, flooding or even someone slipping and falling and getting hurt.

"Just get it fixed, stop the water," said Shepherd.

Neighbors now take turns raking the nearby drain to protect each other and their homes from even bigger water woes. They are doing their part and want the city to do theirs. 

"I want to get it cut off and don't want to get a bill," said neighbor Delouse Scott.

Within three hours of FOX 2's call into the Detroit Water and Sewer Department, the problem was fixed and the water is no longer running.

Crews went out to investigate and determined that the entire hydrant needed to be replaced.  As of Monday night, the running water is no longer an issue.