UPDATE (8:00 a.m. on July 24, 2026): The fire hydrant had been replaced and Elm Street was reopened by mid-afternoon on Thursday, but there is still a scar where the excavation was done to connect the hydrant at the watermain. Expect road crews to be out in the near future to put down a fresh layer of asphalt over the dirt and gravel base that is exposed now.
MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — West Elm Street is closed for a block at South Ohlman on Thursday, forcing drivers to find a detour near St. John Paul II Elementary School.
John Vermeulen from the Mitchell Water Department says crews are replacing a fire hydrant, which is done on an as-needed basis. The hydrant is the only one affected in the area. Before it can be replaced, the workers had to break through part of Elm Street to get to the piping that runs underneath the pavement.
When excavation is required, like in this case, the installation of a new hydrant usually can be done in an afternoon. When the work is complete, the new hydrant has to be flushed, pressure-tested, and then inspected for leaks.
