Utilities Kingston to Inspect and Rate Fire Hydrants

Published on: 2019/05/23 - in News

Utilities Kingston reports it has started its annual fire hydrant inspection and flow-rating program to help support fire protection.

It advises residents that discoloured tap water or reduced water pressure is normal and the water is still safe, recommending in the case of discolouration that to run the cold water tap until it clears.

“Flow-rating requires that we open the hydrant to maximum flow. This can reduce water pressure and disturb deposits that normally occur in water mains, possibly discolouring the water that services neighbouring homes and businesses,” said Brad Joyce, director of operations for Utilities Kingston. ” We want residents to know that the water is still safe and they are encouraged to flush their pipes until the water is clear,” .


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All 3,500 municipal water distribution system hydrants are inspected and 20 per cent of the hydrants are flow-rated each year with 476 to be tested in 2019.

The list of hydrants to be flow-rated this year includes those in Zone Eight (east of Bayridge Drive, west of Gardiners Road, south of Princess Street and north of Point Crescent) and Zone Four (east of Coronation Boulevard, Bayridge Drive to the west, and Creekford Road to the south), in addition to approximately 100 new hydrants across the city. A zone map can be found at the Utilities Kingston website.

“Ensuring that Kingston’s hydrant water supply is sufficient and available for suppression activities is essential for our firefighters to confidently save lives and protect properties from fire damage,” said Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ted Posadowski.


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