Fire Department Testing All Fire Hydrants in the City

A message from Covington Fire Chief Mark Young:

The Covington Fire Department will test approximately 1,000 fire hydrants citywide throughout the summer. The Covington Fire Department fire hydrant testing program was designed to ensure that all hydrants are ready when needed.

Why do we test fire hydrants?
Testing ensures that hydrants are in full working order and verifies their flow capacity. In addition, testing fire hydrants is a function the fire department performs in order to receive a lower Insurance Service Organization rating (ISO). The ISO is the organization that sets the insurance classifications for municipalities. The hydrant testing also helps keep the hydrants flushed from any foreign debris, but, more importantly, the test provides information concerning pressure and the amount of water available at each hydrant.

How is the hydrant tested?
In order to determine that a hydrant is capable of meeting fire flow requirements, fire department crews must open the hydrants and discharge water from the hydrant at a high flow rate. Firefighters testing the hydrants will record specific information related to flow and pressure.

How does this affect the neighborhoods where the hydrants are being tested?
Fire hydrant testing is a routine maintenance procedure, but it may result in a few temporary inconveniences. The street near the hydrant being tested may become temporarily flooded. High flow rate discharge during testing disturbs sediments in the water distribution system. This often results in brown or rust-colored water. Hydrant testing may also reduce regular water pressure. Reduced water pressure should only be intermittent as the hydrants are being tested. Your regular water pressure will return to normal once the flow testing is complete. Fire hydrant flushing and water main flushing or repairs can disturb sediments in the water mains resulting in red or brown colored tap water. This colored water is not a health concern and can usually be eliminated by turning on household faucets for a few minutes to flush any sediment out of the system.

What should you do while hydrants are being tested in your neighborhood?
It is recommended that residents turn off their taps for 10 to 20 minutes while crews are testing the fire hydrants in the neighborhood, and it is recommended not to do laundry during that time. This should allow work crews enough time to complete the test. When work crews have left the area, turn on one of the COLD-water taps in the home for a few minutes to flush out the system. If brown or rust-colored water is detected, do not drink the water or wash laundry. While discolored water is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry.

When will we test the fire hydrants in your neighborhood?
Every day, through the end of September firefighters will be testing hydrants throughout the city during daylight hours. Because the time it takes to test and/or repair hydrants is somewhat unpredictable. An exact timetable or schedule is not possible. The firefighters are subject to responding to emergency calls and will be testing hydrants during the time in-between emergency responses. We ask that you be aware of the crews working in your neighborhood and slow down and drive past them carefully while they are testing hydrants.