By Scott Harvey
Wood County – A local volunteer fire department finds itself with less water to battle fires, now that the use of several hydrants is coming at a cost.
For more than 40 years of getting its water for free, the Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department is now getting billed every month from Liberty Water Company. Additionally, several hydrants are now off limits.
In a letter to the department, Liberty Water says "Its system isn't designed to support the customers' demands and the firefighters' demands at the same time. The company also says the VFD has a lake at its disposal if needed.
But according to Assistant Chief Jerry Hibbs, that's not always the fastest source. He tells KLTV in Tyler, "If we can't use the hydrants, eventually, the insurance rates are going to go up."
He says three water companies in the department's 58 square mile district allow use of their hydrants, but Liberty Water Company does not.