Seven Fire Hydrants Out of Service in Dunkirk — $38,000 Replacement Approved

From the Dunkirk City Council meeting on June 22, 2026

The Dunkirk City Council approved approximately $38,000 to replace seven fire hydrants that are currently out of service and cannot be rebuilt. Some of the hydrants date to 1973 or earlier, making them more than 50 years old. Each replacement costs roughly $5,400.

Water Superintendent Brock called it a public safety issue: residents in affected areas currently have no nearby working hydrant in the event of a fire. A council member said the city wants to stay on top of hydrant maintenance this year rather than continue past practices of shutting down broken hydrants and hoping no fires break out nearby.

The water department had $10,000 budgeted for fire hydrant work this year. The remaining approximately $28,000 will come from other line items within the water department budget — specifically contractual services and materials and supplies accounts, which have 71% and 90% of their budgets remaining. The mayor confirmed the department has sufficient funds to cover the full cost.

Source: Meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - June 22, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.