(AP) — A rural water district in southeast Nebraska and local firefighters are locking horns over the fire department’s use of fire hydrants connected to the rural district’s system.

Cass County Rural Water District No. 1 has sent certified letters to local fire departments — including Plattsmouth, Nehawka and Murray — saying hydrants on its system are not to be used for fighting fires. The district fears that pressure from fire trucks could break the district’s plastic water lines and contaminate drinking water.

The request has riled firefighters, who say they likely will use the hydrants in life-and-death situations. One fire official hinted at drawing law enforcement into the fray, saying that interfering with a firefighter during an emergency is a criminal offense.