Keep fire hydrants clear of leaves and debris
October is Fire Prevention Month, an important time to educate citizens and businesses about taking proactive steps to prevent fires. Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can delay emergency fire response. In an emergency, every second matters, and citizens have a role to play in keeping fire hydrants clear and accessible.
As outlined in the City of Vaughan’s Water By-law 177-2016 (PDF), citizens who have a fire hydrant on their property or City property adjacent to theirs are responsible for ensuring the hydrant is always visible and unobstructed. Ensure debris, leaves and other yard waste are not blocking the area surrounding a fire hydrant and an accessible path from the street to the hydrant is maintained at all times.
The City of Vaughan is responsible for the uninterrupted supply and distribution of safe drinking water to all residents and businesses. Part of this work includes the maintenance of local fire hydrants across Vaughan. The City’s Environmental Services department works closely with Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service to ensure all hydrants are operational and ready to be used in the event of an emergency. Regular fire hydrant testing ensures the ability to provide water at an acceptable pressure and flow rate for firefighting operations.
As part of the City’s robust water quality management program, staff conduct annual watermain flushing and swabbing that helps clean more than 20 kilometres of pipes. During this maintenance, fire hydrants are generally used as a flush-out point and citizens may notice large amounts of water being released from a hydrant. In October, this work will be completed in various neighbourhoods to ensure the City’s continued commitment to superior service delivery, help keep infrastructure strong while extending its lifespan and maintain a continued delivery of high-quality water throughout Vaughan.
To learn more about the City’s water operations, visit vaughan.ca/water.
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