ENID, OK - The Enid Fire Department will begin annual inspection & flow-testing of community fire hydrants on Tuesday, March 21st. Flow tests disrupt rust and sediment in the water lines and can stain lighter colors of clothing or linens. After our testing please run your faucets until the water runs clear before showering or doing laundry. Avoid running hot water until it clears so you won't add sediment to your water heater. During hydrant inspections, residents might experience temporarily low water pressure and discolored (rusty) water.
All fire hydrants in the community are known as dry barrel hydrants, meaning that there is no water in the barrel (above-ground) until the hydrant is opened. This helps ensure that the hydrants will not freeze in cold weather and will therefore be available when needed for fire emergencies. After every use and inspection, the hydrants are closed and the water drains from the barrel. Hydrants that do not drain properly or have other problems are reported to the City of Enid Public Works department for further maintenance.
This annual testing is essential to maintain the community’s Class 2 Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification, and to ensure that hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, this testing monitors the health of the city’s water system, identifies weak areas in the system, removes materials that settle in the water mains, and flushes out the lines. Checking each hydrant improves crew knowledge of hydrant locations. Fire department personnel will check to make sure there is adequate clearance around all fire hydrants to aid in their easy identification and access. The fire code requires at least 36 inches of clear area around the hydrant for proper access and helps assure the hydrant is visible from the road.
Notices will be published in the newspaper and on the Enid Fire Department’s Facebook page to identify when we will be flow testing in your area.
