Even as some East Side residents with homes in low-lying areas in Salisbury Township complain about too much water, when it comes to fighting fires, there’s apparently too little water to battle fires at buildings on higher ground.

The problem relates to East Side topography, which between East Emmaus Avenue and East Susquehanna Street is basically a trough bounded by Lehigh Mountain on the north and South Mountain on the south.

While there is runoff water during storms and groundwater in low-lying areas prone to flooding, there is apparently not enough hydrant water pressure in the higher elevations on the East Side.

Members of Eastern Salisbury Fire Company brought their case to commissioners April 28 at the township meeting. The volunteer firefighters pointed to three recent structure fires and what they say is a lack of water pressure available in hydrants to knock down the blazes.

“Every time there’s a fire up there, there seems to be a problem with the water flow,” Eastern Salisbury Fire Company Chief Dave Tomcics said, speaking on behalf of a delegation of about eight firefighters who attended the April 28 meeting.

The most recent fire in the township at 1784 Elinor St. was reported at approximately 9:30 a.m. April 25. The house was fully involved when firefighters and police arrived.

The area is north of Gauff Hill at the intersection of East Susquehanna Street, East Emmaus Avenue, Broadway and Seidersville Road.

“It’s the third house that has been up there and it’s a complete loss,” Tomcics said.

The firefighter said that there is no water pressure to pump water from fire hydrants.

“I actually think the fire hydrants give a false sense of hope,” Tomcics said.

“It’s ridiculous,” township Commissioner Debra Brinton, an East Side resident, said.

“Do we have any recourse?” Brinton asked.

“It seems like somebody’s not holding up their end of the bargain. If you’re supplying water, it’s not only for taking showers, but fighting fires, too,” township Commissioner Joanne Ackerman said.

“That’s terrible,” Ackerman said.

“I agree,” Salisbury Township Assistant Manager, Director of Finance and Acting Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

Water service on the township’s east side is generally provided by the Bethlehem Water Authority.

Salisbury Township Solicitor Atty. John W. Ashley said, “We’ve talked to them [the Bethlehem Water Authority] before.”

In 2012, the Bethlehem Water Authority installed a new pumping station, estimated to cost $100,000, in the vicinity of Weil, Ritter, Summit and Wistar streets and Virginia Avenue.

“It just helps with domestic flow, not with fire flow,” Tomcis said of the pumping station.

“I can see what our agreements [with the Bethlehem Water Authority] will say,” Ashley said.

“I’m sure they don’t say, ‘We’re going to let houses burn down,’” Ashley quipped.

For the most recent fire, firefighters had to run 1,000 feet of hose from a fire truck pumper. East Side streets are often too narrow for fire trucks to negotiate.

Firefighters said they are often required to bring two tanker trucks to a quell a fire “because we know the pressure is terrible.”

“I think it’s something we should look into. We can reach out again to Bethlehem,” township Commissioner President James A. Brown said.

“At minimum, you can increase the flow to those hydrants,” Eastern Salisbury Fire Company President Ian Dodson said.

“We’ll see what we can do to change that,” Brown said.

Brown announced a workshop after the April 28 township meeting listed on the agenda as “Discussion on resolution-policy pertaining to fire equipment usage” was postponed.

“We want to gather more information,” Brown explained.

The topic is expected to be discussed at the workshop following the next township meeting, 7 p.m. May 12 in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

After the meeting adjourned 7:50 p.m. April 28, commissioners held an executive session for “personnel” matters, Brown said.