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Queen Creek fire officials are worried that hydrant locks in a new development will affect the safety of residents there.

The locks, which encase the hydrant with a metal, beltlike strap and padlock closure, could take firefighters an extra minute or two to remove with bolt cutters, Fire Chief Van Summers says.

The 17 to 18 "hydrant defenders" were installed in January in the area around Village Loop Road and Calle De Flores. The Fire Department has sent two letters to the water company that feeds the hydrants asking that the locks be removed.

But the company, H20 Inc. Water Utility, is refusing. The company sent a letter to the fire department, saying the hydrant cages would stay in place.

The Fire Department does require special locks on hydrants to prevent contamination and theft. They are removed with a large wrench. Summers says the locks used by the H20 company are against fire code.

"It's a practical issue and a safety issue," Summers said. "What happens is if we have to take more time at the hydrant, that means less time getting to the truck."

Craig Thiesenhusen, a spokesman for H20, said the locks are there to protect residents from water theft and contamination. Thiesenhusen said he offered to give several keys to the Fire Department for the locks, but said fire officials refused to take them.

"He just didn't like my locks," Thiesenhusen said. "He just wanted me to foot the bill to make them happy. It doesn't make sense."