THE Baguio Water District (BWD) intends to make operational some 48 fire hydrants, which at present are unused because of damage.

BWD general manager Teresita de Guzman and Salvador Royeca, manager of the BWD construction and maintenance division, informed Mayor Braulio Yaranon and Vice Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. that out of the 123 fire hydrants installed in several areas in the city, only 75 are considered operational while the rest require maintenance procedures through testing, repair or replacement.

The BWD recently reconstituted a task force that would oversee the operation of previously unused fire hydrants in response to City Council Resolution 306-2005, which sought the water district's assistance in making fire hydrants operational following the request from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

De Guzman said the BWD has lined up several activities for the purpose, adding that in its 2006 budget, an amount has been allotted for the repair of fire hydrants.

He added that the ongoing re-piping and rehabilitation of the Aus-AID project also required the installation of fire hydrants in various areas of the city.