Key Points

A fire hydrant is a type of valve that enables water to be drawn from the water main.

Fire hydrants are owned by the water utilities.

Access to fire hydrants must be kept clear at all times.

Penalties apply for parking within 1 metre of a fire hy-drant.

Home owners should en-sure that verge landscaping and vegetation does not in-hibit access to hydrants.

Leaking hydrants should be reported to Water Corpora-tion on 13 13 75

Definitions

Water Utilities are the gov-ernment agencies that own and maintain the reticulated water mains in Western Australia

Standpipe, a fitting attached to hydrant and to which fire hose(s )are attached

For more informa on contact Water Policy and Strategy 08 9395 9838 or

email hydrants @ dfes. a.gov.au or visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au

January 2014 Version 4

Background

They’re everywhere, so common we scarcely notice them. They’re ignored, uncelebrated, but they play a critical role in public safety. In their 200-year history, fire hydrants have saved countless lives and prevented enormous property losses.

Fire hydrants have been used in Western Australia since the late 1800’s. There are an estimated 70,000 hydrants installed on water utility mains throughout Western Australia. More than half are located in the metropolitan area with the remain hydrants scattered through-out the regional towns of Western Australia.

There are three water utilities in WA , i.e. The Water Corporation, AqWest and Bunbury Water but more than 95% of the hydrants are connected to Water Corporation water mains. With the passing of the Water Services Act 2012 hydrant owner ship was transferred from Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and Local Gov-ernments to the water utilities.

Hydrant Maintenance and Servicing

The water utilities, DFES and Local Governments have a shared re-sponsibility in the maintenance and servicing of hydrants. DFES and Local Governments perform condition assessments of all hydrants on a 18 month cycle and also inspects the road and pole markings that identify hydrant locations, while the water utilities are responsible for repair, maintenance and/or replacement of hydrants. During these inspections, DFES and Local Governments can obviously inspect hydrants faster than repairs and replacements can be made by water utilities. However, the water utilities and DFES have agreed upon a process for prioritising hydrant repairs and replacements so that an adequate number of operable hydrants are available at all times — hydrants are repaired on a priority basis determined by perceived risk .

Fire Hydrants

Information Note

For more informa on please contact, Department of Fire and Emergency Services,

visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or you can contact Water Policy and Strategy on 08 9395 9838 or email hydrants @ dfes.wa.gov.au

FIRE HYDRANTS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q Who do I notify if I see a leaking fire hydrant ?

A If the fire hydrant is on the verge or in the street you should call the Water Corporation on

13 13 75. If you live in Bunbury call AqWest on 2345667 or in Busselton you should call

Busselton Water on 9876554.

Q Can I get the fire hydrant in my verge or driveway to be moved to another location?

A Fire hydrants can’t be moved without the consent of DFES or the Local Government in the area where it is located, contact details can be found at the bottom of this document. If approved

hydrant relocations are only carried out on the basis of fee for service and Water Corporation should be contacted for a quotation.

Q Can I landscape my verge if there is a fire hydrant there ?

A A verge can be landscaped however if a fire hydrant is present but it must not be covered with paving or artificial lawn or plants or garden beds. The hydrant must be clearly visible

at all times and free from vegetation.

Q Who do I notify if a hydrant is a trip hazard or missing lid from hydrant box ?

A As a matter of urgency call the Water Corporation on 13 13 75. If you live in Bunbury AqWest on 2345667 or in Busselton notify Busselton Water on 9876554.

Q If a hydrant has been repaired and the footpath or road has been dug up who is

responsible for the repairs?

A It is the responsibility of the local government where the repair has occurred to make good the roadway or footpath affected by the hydrant repair.

Q Who do I call if I see someone other than the water utility or the fire service taking water from a fire hydrant ?

A Call the Water Corporation on 13 13 75 or in Bunbury, AqWest on 2345667 or in Busselton notify Busselton Water on 9876554.

Q Who do I call if there is the blue marker (cats-eye) missing from roadway near a hydrant ?

A Please notify DFES , a phone number or email address can be found at the bottom of this document. They will need to know the house number and street address in front of hydrant with