Supporting fire protection
Each year, to support fire protection and maintain the ongoing integrity of the drinking water system, Utilities Kingston inspects and flow rates the fire hydrants in Kingston’s water distribution system. Licensed water distribution operators inspect mechanical parts for proper operation, assess the overall condition, and flush and flow rate hydrants.
Did you know? Treated water is de-chlorinated before it is discharged from the hydrant to Lake Ontario (our drinking water source).
Effect on tap water: discolouration and reduced pressure
Flow rating, as with other activities on the water distribution system, can disturb deposits that normally occur in water pipes. If you notice your tap water is brown or discoloured, please be assured the water is still safe and flush your pipes until the water is clear again:
Flush your pipes until the water is clear again.
- Locate the cold water tap that is closest to your water meter.
- Run the cold water until it is clear. This may take 5 – 25 minutes.
- If the water does not clear, please contact Utilities Kingston at 613-546-1181.
(Never use social media to report a utility issue or emergency. Our emergency line is secure, private and monitored 24/7.)
You may also notice temporary reduced water pressure while hydrant flow rating takes place. Once the operators have completed their work (this usually takes about an hour), water pressure will return to normal.
Colour coding
Firefighters use colour coding to anticipate the water supply available through a hydrant when they arrive at the scene of a fire. Ensuring the water supply is trustworthy helps them save lives and protect homes and businesses from fire damage. Thus hydrants are colour-coded to indicate how much flow is available through a hydrant at that point in the water distribution system.
| Class | Colour code | Rated flow US gal/min @ 20psi | L/s @ 70kPa |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA+ * | Blue | Greater than 2999 | Greater than 189 |
| AA | Blue | Greater than 1499 | Greater than 95 |
| A | Green | 1000 to 1499 | 63 to 95 |
| B | Orange | 500 to 999 | 32 to 63 |
| C | Red | Less than 500 | Less than 32 |
* AA+ is a non-standard classification that assists the fire department in identifying hydrants and mains that are capable of providing higher flow rates.
Did you know?
- There are 3,563 hydrants in the municipal water distribution system, which are proudly maintained and operated by the employees of Utilities Kingston.
- Automated field data collection for the fire hydrant inspection program using the location-based application Collector for ArcGIS reduces paperwork and increases productivity by digitizing processes.
- Fire hydrants in a municipal system are painted yellow to make them more visible at night.
- Fire hydrants in a private system are painted red.
- Utilities Kingston protects rebuilt fire hydrants with a Vortex coating system. This coating is highly resistant to impact, fading and K9P.
- In addition to colour coding the bonnets and caps, we add coloured hydrant markers (in the shape of discs). The markers reflect at night and help firefighters locate hydrants.
What's happening in 2024
From May until fall, all fire hydrants (including newly installed ones) will be inspected. Flow testing will be conducted in Zones 4 and Zone 6:
- Zone 4: West of Bayridge Dr, north of Creekford Rd, south of Front Rd, east of Coronation Blvd.
- Zone 6: South of Johnson St, north of John Counter Blvd, east of Division St, west of Sir John A MacDonald Blvd, including the Strathcona area and lower downtown.
See the map for all hydrant zones. Until December, fire hydrant inspection and flow rating will take place Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM.
For more information, please call customer service at 613-546-1181 or email info@utilitieskingston.com from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM.