Firefighters concerned with water at stations

HOUSTON – At least two Houston Fire Stations have had recent, unsavory plumbing problems that have led some firefighters to question the health and safety of their workplaces, Channel 2 Investigates has learned.

Station No. 23, at 8005 Lawndale Street, has had an intermittent problem of delivering brown tap water, which was found to be contaminated, although the nature of that contamination was not disclosed Monday to Channel 2 Investigates.

Station No. 61, at 9726 Monroe Boulevard, has had a yearslong, though off-and-on, problem of human feces flowing out of a shower drain.

"We have a work order on that one. I think it was made the 20th," Assistant Fire Chief Ruy Lozano said Monday.

With nearly 100 fire stations, many of them aged, Lozano said it was challenging on tight city budgets to keep everything in tip-top shape at all times, but he said health and safety items are a priority, and the city takes such complaints seriously.

Lozano called the city of Houston's General Services Department "pretty responsive."

Neither fire station plumbing issue was self-evident when Channel 2 visited the two fire stations in question Monday.

The city has taken significant steps to rectify both issues, according to Houston Fire Department spokesperson Sheldra Brigham.

But sources close to each situation are not convinced that either problem has been fully rectified.

"This has been going on for years, the old iron pipe under the station is busted," one source said.

In the case of Station No 23, a second water test is still pending, according to a source involved in the testing. The first such test showed "water contaminants were found in some areas," according to Brigham.

"We've had some contaminated water issues. As soon as we hear about those, we immediately try to get some fresh bottled water dispensers out to the guys. We really want to protect their health and safety," Lozano said.

“Houston firefighters continue to be concerned about the declining condition of the HFD facilities and fleet. We hope the city of Houston recognizes that it must better maintain the facilities and fleet for HFD to continue delivering excellent service. We appreciate the efforts of city workers to restore a safe water supply at Station 23,” Patrick Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said via email Monday.

Lozano encouraged employees to report health and safety issues at fire station directly to him.

"Email me directly. If I have to get out of my office and go down there directly, that's what we'll do," Lozano said.