Fire Hydrants: Maintenance and Meter Leases

Directions to Utility Service Depots

Fire Hydrant Maintenance

WSSC Water has approximately 46,700 fire hydrants spread over 5,977 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 more than 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 fire hydrant meters for period 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.

Customers may lease a fire hydrant meter for six months or less, depending on the customers need. The meter must be returned to a WSSC Water lease facility on or before the expiration date indicated on the green dog tag attached to the meter when issued. A new permit will be required for another fire hydrant meter after the 6-month period. Note that deposits do not transfer to a new permit and are required for each leasing period. Customer will receive an email reminder seven days before the rental period expires. If you need to continue using a meter beyond the six-month rental period, you must submit a new online request and deposit. If there are no outstanding invoices or past-due meter issues, your rental exchange will be done at the same time.

WSSC Water will only accept electronic payments.
Credit card convenience fees for fire hydrant meter rentals and (ACH) convenience fees will apply. 

Click to Lease a Fire Hydrant Meter

Leasing Requirements

• Trucks are inspected for 6-inch air gap (review diagram) at our Hyattsville facility. Each inspection requires a $60 certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check; or money order.

Fees and Charges

The following fees will be deducted from the required deposit based on the information of the returned meter.

Water consumption is build at the Tier 4 rate per 1,00 gallons for either meter size.

Customers are responsible for their consumption, service charges, and any fees that apply. 

Lost/Stolen/or Damaged Meter/or Meter Equipment - If the meter is lost, damaged, or stolen, a meter replacement fee, equipment fee along with the fire hydrant deposit will be billed to the customer as well as any consumption or related fees.

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 due. If the fees and charges are less than your deposit, we will mail you a refund after the meter is returned. Please allow 45 days for processing your refund.

The approved permit holder shall pay any outstanding balance on the account within 30 days of receiving your invoice. A late fees will be applied after the 30 days. 

Leasing Locations

Directions to Utility Service Depots

Hours of operation  

Required 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.

WSSC Water will not lease a large 3” meter to a customer without proper backflow documentation. Only ASSE 1013 approved and listed models according to the WSSC Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code are permissible for installation to protect a WSSC Water large diameter fire hydrant meter.

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.

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 506.9 https://www.wsscwater.com/codebooks

Customers will need to get the Cross-Connection Test Report from the Principal Master’s Registered Firm that tested the backflow assembly. 

Registered Firms: Access the CCTR System 

Find a Registered Firm 

Cross-connection Backflow Prevention for Commercial and Industrial Customers

Truck Inspection Permit 

WSSC Water must inspect vehicles on which fire hydrant meters are used. The vehicle is inspected to ensure the vehicle has the correct equipment for connecting the meter. It must comply with all applicable code requirements in the WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code Chapter 5, Code Section 506.4. A Fire Hydrant Use Permit Sticker will be placed on each truck that passes inspection. The Permit Sticker will be valid for two years from the date it passes inspection.  

If a vehicle fails inspection, re-inspection must be done within 45 days. After 45 days, a second Truck Inspection Fee will be required. Tanker Truck Inspection Diagram

Each inspection requires a $55 certified, cashier’s, or treasurer’s check; or money order

Backflow Reporting Requirements

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.