As the summer heat kicks in, the District’s Emergency Management Agency is trying to shift residents of some public housing projects away from street showers and into public pools.
But rather than combating the heat by opening fire hydrants, the District could be tackling the larger problem: Chilling the “heat island” affect with basic plumbing and lighter-colored construction materials, scientists say.
“If one does that, you would be surprised how the effects would be pronounced and measurable,” said Hashem Akbari, scientist and leader of the Heat Island Group, a federally funded research laboratory based at the University of California.
Street showers are activated during declared heat emergencies — when the heat index tops 95 degrees. Fire hydrants are fitted with caps that force the water into the air and limit the amount released.
“We’re really trying to move away from that and push people toward pools,” said Jo’Ellen Countee, Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman.
Illegally opened hydrants, which the showers were designed to limit, can waste 1,000 gallons of water per minute, damage public property and produce a force strong enough to push a child into the street.
Today, though, the city provides 19 public pools. And the street shower program has been reduced to one street location, 21st Street and Maryland Avenue Northeast, and four public housing projects.
Like most urban areas, D.C. suffers a “heat island” affect, as the omnipresent black asphalt warms a dense community well beyond that of the suburbs — by as much as 10 degrees.
At the Heat Island Group, scientists have developed numerous ways to chill a city, from planting trees to using heat reflective, lighter colored materials in road and roof construction. Akbari said the District could replace its street showers with mist sprayers installed along the streets.
“The water that is sprayed into the air, it evaporates and keeps the air cool,” he said. “The price is going to be so low and buys so much comfort you wouldn’t believe it.”
But in the short term, hydrants are the fastest way to reduce heat in the poorest District neighborhoods, said Ward 1 D.C. Council Member Jim Graham. Twenty-five percent of Ward 1 lives below the poverty line.
“Spare me the studies,” Graham said. “Just cool the kids off.”
D.C. public pools
» Nine outdoor pools are now open for weekend use only: Anacostia, Georgetown, Francis, Kenilworth Park and Oxen Run, East Potomac, Langdon Park, Randall and Upshur.
» All outdoor pools will be open daily starting June 19.
» Banneker pool is closed for repairs.
» Visit dpr.dc.gov for a full pool schedule.
