NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the first time, city officials are acknowledging what the Channel 4 I-Team exposed about low-flow hydrants is a major concern and must be addressed.

Video: City Leaders Address Low-Flow Hydrants Problem

City officials and fire experts said they feel the city could take a giant step backward if steps to improve these hydrants aren't addressed or are ignored.

The problem with low-flow hydrants has moved from fire scenes to the political arena.

"This is obviously an area, though, that the water department's concerned, the fire department's concerned," said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.

For months now, the I-Team has been reporting on hundreds of fire hydrants found not producing the minimum water flow needed to fight fires.

Also discovered was one house fire after another in which homes were completely burned, and low-hydrants were blamed for hampering firefighting efforts.

There are now movements under way to help fix the problem, but they cost money, and many in the city fear these solutions won't pass the Metro Council.

First, there's the rate hike proposed by the water department to fix the city's aging water system. Part of that improvement project focuses on low-flow hydrants, marked in Nashville with black caps.

The city wants to replace pipes so clogged that enough water can't pass through to provide hydrants with enough flow to fight fires. Water officials compare them to hardened arteries.

"When you clean out the artery, the flow improves, and we'll be able to do projects that will enhance the flow in those hydrants," said Scott Potter of the Metro Water Department.

Following the I-Team's investigation, the Water Department plans to test all black cap hydrants.

But the rate hike comes during tough economic times, and Dean is concerned if the hike doesn't pass the council, these hydrants will continue to be a problem for firefighters.

"I'm obviously concerned, and I think this infrastructure maintenance will help some," he said.

Then there's the growing dispute to change the city's fire code. Again, the hydrants are part of the dispute.

Currently, the fire code states if a new home is built in front of a low-flow hydrant, it must be built with sprinklers. That's because firefighters believe sprinklers are the only way these homes will be saved, because they can't rely on the hydrants.

But the I-Team has obtained letters and e-mails sent to the council from code officials and homebuilders associations, asking the council to adopt a bill calling for a different fire code that doesn't require sprinklers in new home construction.

At issue is the cost of the sprinklers and that homebuilders believe the houses they're building are already the safest on the market.

The firefighters union president and lawmaker Gary Moore is fighting to keep the fire code as is, writing the council that the low-flow hydrants and the inadequate availability of water services makes the sprinklers essential.

Changing the fire code and not addressing the hydrant issue will "effectively put the lives of our members and the citizens of Nashville at risk," Moore said.

Tuesday night, in front of the council, the fire chief will argue the fire code must not be changed, in part because of the hydrants.