The City of Jackson has over 800 fire hydrants in its service area. These hydrants are flow tested and maintained to ensure they are in good working order and to determine that each hydrant has sufficient flow for firefighting. This year we will be flowing over 200 hydrants beginning on September 5th and will be completed by Oct 31st. The areas being tested this fall is the eastern side of town from Shawnee Boulevard to the eastern edge of the Jackson city limits.
Signs that fire hydrant testing is being conducted in your area:
- Fire crew vehicles on your street
- Water on the ground around hydrant
- Slightly discolored water
- Air sputtering from the faucet
While hydrant flowing activities doesn’t affect the safety of the water supply, the water may appear cloudy or discolored while the lines are flushed due to a temporary stirring of sediments. Residents can quickly clear up the discolored water in their homes or businesses by flushing water through the plumbing. Recommended locations for flushing plumbing are outside spigots and bathtubs. Residents should not wash clothes in water that is discolored as this could result in stains.
You can help by making sure there are no obstructions. Below is an excerpt from the City’s adopted Fire Code IFC2015 507.5.5 which reads as follows:
“A 3-foot (914 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved. Care must be taken so that fences, utility poles, barricades, and other obstructions do not prevent access to and operation of fire hydrants. A clear space of 3 feet (914 mm) must be maintained around hydrants (see Figure 507.5.5) to allow easy hose connections to the hydrant and the efficient use of hydrant wrenches, spanner wrenches, and other tools needed by the apparatus engineer. It is not the intent of this section to allow any of the obstructions described in Section 507.5.4 to exist as long as they are kept 3 feet (914 mm) from the hydrant, FDC or valve.”
Questions should be directed to the Jackson Fire Department at 243-1010.