Fire Hydrants: Maintenance and Meter Leases
We perform thousands of maintenance checks on fire hydrants every year so they're ready when needed. We also lease fire hydrant meters to customers in certain situations. Keep reading to learn more.
We perform thousands of maintenance checks on fire hydrants every year so they're ready when needed. We also lease fire hydrant meters to customers in certain situations. Keep reading to learn more.
Directions to Utility Service Depots
To be sure that fire hydrants are ready when they're needed, WSSC Water crews physically inspect each hydrant regularly. Because there are so many hydrants - more than 43,000 spread out over 5,844 miles of water pipe - they're inspected on a three-year cycle, with about 13,000 inspections conducted in the two counties every year. Most inspections are done in the summer, with more than 10,000 completed between April and September.
Fire hydrants are made of cast iron and can last more than 50 years. However, internal working parts, such as gaskets and seats, require routine maintenance or replacement, which is why we have a proactive inspection program. During a typical inspection, WSSC Water crews:
If a hydrant needs to be taken out of service, our goal is to repair it within seven calendar days, and we achieve that goal 95 percent of the time.
The easiest way to identify a WSSC Water hydrant is by its color: all WSSC Water fire hydrants have a green top and a white or light gray body.
If you spot a fire hydrant that is leaking, report it by calling us at 301-206-4002. You can call any hour of the day, seven days per week.
Get the Facts on Fire Hydrants
On a limited basis, WSSC Water leases fire hydrant meters to individuals and businesses that want to purchase WSSC Water potable water without paying sewer charges. Hydrants are leased for a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of six months.
Fire hydrants in most of Prince George's and Montgomery counties can be used; however, areas of Bowie, Rockville and all of Poolesville have their own water systems, so WSSC Water meters cannot be used on those fire hydrants. The easiest way to identify a WSSC Water hydrant is by its color: all WSSC Water fire hydrants have a green top and a gray body.
A 3/4" meter, which is used with a standard garden hose, provides a flow rate of about 25 gallons per minute, or 1,500 gallons per hour. A 3" meter, used with a 2 1/2" fire hose, flows at 250 gallons per minute, or 15,000 gallons per hour.
A security deposit is required for the fire hydrant meter lease: $380 for a 3/4" meter and $2,420.00 for a 3" meter. Security deposits must be paid by certified check, cashier's check, treasurer's check or money order. If customers have a WSSC Water account in "good standing" (three years of on-time payments with no returned checks), we will accept personal checks.
If you lease a meter for six months, at the end of each month, you must email meter readings (including all zeros) to fhrentalprogram@wsscwater.com. Be sure to include your permit number and full name (or company name). (3/4" hydrant meters will have a seven-digit reading, 2 1/2" hydrant meters will have an eight-digit reading.)
Fire hydrant meters cannot be leased for more than six months. The meter must be returned to a WSSC Water lease facility on or before the expiration date. If you need another fire hydrant meter, a new permit will be issued. Note that deposits do not transfer to a new permit.
Size | 3/4" | 3" |
Water Charge | $9.30 per 1,000 Gallons | |
Minimum Water Consumption Charge | $35.00 min. (approved rate of 1,000 ADC) | $240.00 min (approved rate of 1,000 ADC) A 3" fire hydrant meter must be used with a high hazard backflow prevention assembly (ASSE1013) |
Service Charge | $85.00 (2 week lease period) $175.00 (over 2 weeks up to 6 months) |
$130.00 (2 week lease period) $175.00 (over 2 weeks up to 6 months) $175.00 (over 2 weeks up to 6 months) |
Late Fees | $10.00 for each business day the meter is not returned after permit has expired | |
Other fees | Damaged Meter | If the meter is damaged, the customer will be billed for parts and labor required to repair the meter. Additionally, customers are responsible for the consumption and service charges. |
Lost/Destruction of Meter | If the meter is lost or stolen, a meter replacement fee (which is equal to the deposit) as well as the minimum consumption and service charge will be assessed. | |
Lost/Destruction of Wrench | $40.00 |
Note: All fees and charges will be deducted from your deposit. If the fees and charges exceed your deposit, we will mail you an invoice for the balance. If the fees and charges are less than your deposit, we will mail you a refund four-to-six weeks after the meter is returned.
Directions to Utility Service Depots
Hours of operation
Masks are required to be worn at all WSSC Water Depots | |||
Location | Address | Phone Number | |
Hyattsville (Customer Care Bldg.) 7:30 am - 3:30 pm |
4102 Lloyd St. Hyattsville, MD 20781 |
301-206-4042 | |
Temple Hills (Depot Warehouse) 8:30am - 11:00 am 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm |
8444 Temple Hills Rd. Temple Hills, MD 20748 |
301-206-7318 | |
Silver Spring (Lyttonsville Depot Warehouse) 8:30am - 11:00 am 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm |
2501 Lyttonsville Rd. Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
301-206-7929 | |
Gaithersburg (Depot Warehouse) 8:30am - 11:00 am 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm |
111 W. Diamond Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20879 |
301-206-7366 |
“Small” ¾” meters are outfitted with a ¾” male hose thread connection and an integral backflow prevention device. No additional protection is required unless the hose will be connected directly to a high-hazard water-utilizing piece of equipment.
“Large” 3” meters have a 2-1/2” male hose thread connection and are not outfitted with a backflow prevention assembly. Anyone who leases a large WSSC Water meter must provide an ASSE 1013 RP Backflow Prevention Assembly for every application (other than for an approved tanker with an inspected and unaltered air gap connection). See WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code sections 112.5.11 & 506.7.1.2
Permit Requirements
Installing a backflow prevention assembly for temporary water use does not require a permit or inspection, but it must comply with all applicable code requirements in WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code, Chapter 5, including testing and reporting requirements.
Testing Intervals
Backflow Prevention Assemblies used with a Large WSSC Water Fire Hydrant Meter lease are to be tested and reported every six months. See WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code Sections 112.5.11 & 506.7.1.2.
Reporting
When completing a test report for a Backflow Prevention Assembly, which serves along with a Large WSSC Water Fire Hydrant Meter, the contact information (mailing address) is to be for the owner of the Backflow Preventer and the address provided must be their permanent office, not a temporary location. List the actual location of the Backflow Preventer in the Location Field and the Assembly Address Field which are part of the “facility address” section. Also be sure to select “fire hydrant meter lease” as the downstream process regardless of the actual usage; that should be added to the comments section.
Restricted Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrant meters can be used only on WSSC Water fire hydrants, which are easily identified by their green tops and white or light grey bodies.
Seasonal Applications
Garden Centers, Farm Stands, and similar facilities with permanent piping or permanent and/or heated structures (including mobile buildings and trailers) or any property with an in-ground irrigation system, cannot use a fire hydrant meter lease for a water connection (see WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code sections 112.5.11 & 506.7.2).