If you’ve ever walked down a city street in winter and spotted a fire hydrant wrapped in a plastic bag, you might have asked yourself, Why? According to a Facebook post from the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin, a single new fire hydrant costs approximately $6,500. Because of this high price, cities will go above and beyond to protect them from unnecessary damage. One of the main threats during winter is the corrosion caused by road salt used to de-ice streets and roadways. The Water Department is responsible for covering the fire hydrants with clear plastic bags in areas where road salt is put down. The bags act as a protective barrier that prevents snow, slush, and especially road salt from accumulating on the hydrant.
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