Fire Hydrants: Maintenance and Meter Leases

Directions to Utility Service Depots

Fire Hydrant Maintenance

WSSC Water has approximately 46,000 fire hydrants spread over 5,800 miles of water mains and maintains a robust record management system to manage records of all hydrants. We inspect the fire hydrants on a three-year cycle, with about 13,000 inspections conducted every year in the two counties. The data collected includes hydrant location, operational status, work orders and fire hydrant flow testing results. 

WSSC Water performs periodic fire flow tests to ensure that the fire hydrant can provide water at an acceptable pressure and flow rate for public health and firefighting operations.

Fire hydrants, constructed from durable cast iron, have a lifespan of over 50 years. However, internal parts, such as gaskets and seats, require routine maintenance or replacement. This is why we have implemented a proactive inspection program to ensure the longevity and functionality of our fire hydrants. 

During a typical inspection, WSSC Water crews perform the following steps:

• Visually inspect the fire hydrant and ensure that it, including all valves and nozzles, is accessible and free of obstructions.
• Perform routine maintenance (oil or grease the threads under the caps, fill stem cylinder with oil or grease depending on manufacturer recommendation, exercise valve and replace caps as necessary).
• If a hydrant needs to be removed from service, our goal is to repair it within seven calendar days.

How to identify a WSSC Water fire hydrant

The easiest way to identify a WSSC Water hydrant is by color: all WSSC Water fire hydrants have a green top and a white or light gray body.

How you can help

If you spot a fire hydrant leaking, report it by calling us at 301-206-4002. You can call any hour of the day, seven days per week.

Fire Hydrant Meter Leases

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. We lease hydrants 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 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.

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. Include your permit number and full name or company name (3/4" hydrant meters will have a seven-digit reading, and 3" hydrant meters will have an eight-digit reading).

Customers may lease fire hydrant meters for up to six months. The meter must be returned to a WSSC Water lease facility on or before the expiration date. A new permit will be issued if you need another fire hydrant meter. Note that deposits do not transfer to a new permit.

Click to Lease a Fire Hydrant Meter

Leasing Requirements

• Deposit: 3/4" Meter: $380; 3" Meter: $2,420
• Trucks are inspected for 6-inch air gap at our Hyattsville facility. Each inspection requires a $50 certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check; or money order.

Fees and Charges

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.

Leasing Locations

Directions to Utility Service Depots

Hours of operation  

Backflow Prevention

“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 the 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 must be tested and reported every six months. See WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code Sections 112.5.11 and 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 is part of the "facility address" section. Also, 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, 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 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).