Inaugural Beijing-San Jose Flight Saluted With Celebratory Water Plume On 1st Day Of City's Tough Water Rules
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Two San Jose fire engines gave a celebratory soaking to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner Monday, the same day tough new water restrictions went into effect.
The San Jose Fire Department's water salute marked the arrival of Hainan Airlines, the first direct flight between Beijing and Silicon Valley.
The trucks sprayed a 30-second arc of water reaching 100 feet high as the plane rolled into to the gate at Mineta San Jose International Airport for the first time.
In the meantime, San Jose homeowners are scrambling for ways to conserve water or risk $500 fines with the beginning of strict new water regulations at midnight Monday.
Currently, San Francisco International Airport is the only Bay Area airport offering nonstop daily service to China.
Airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said the fire crews normally dispense water during weekly tests to make sure fire-fighting systems are running properly, and that Sunday's scheduled test was not performed so the water could instead be used for Monday's water salute.
Barnes said no additional water was used other than the water that would have been dispensed in the weekly test.