Somerville Fire Department to Conduct Annual Hydrant Inspections August 17-29

The Somerville Fire Department will begin its annual inspection and testing of all fire hydrants citywide on Monday, August 17, concluding on or around Saturday, August 29. This important annual maintenance program keeps the community safe by helping to ensure hydrants will work properly when needed to put out a fire.  

Citywide inspections and testing will take approximately two weeks to complete. Work will be conducted Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and if necessary, in the evening, from 6:15 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. 

As part of the process, firefighters will look for any physical damage to each hydrant, remove the caps from each outlet and lubricate the threading, and open and briefly flow the hydrant. These steps allow firefighters to check the mechanical operation of each hydrant, as well as evaluate the water flow and pressure to make sure it will be adequate when needed in the event of a fire.   

In most cases, community members will not notice any changes to their water service while hydrant inspections take place nearby. 

However, in some cases you may experience a temporary, slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water:

• Though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink.
• If discoloration occurs, you can open the cold tap nearest the water meter—such as a basement sink or a ground-floor sink—to full flow until the water runs clear. In some situations, this may take 5 to 10 minutes. 
• Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics.
• If you happen to wash laundry while the water is discolored and notice rust stains on wet laundry, those items should not be dried, and you can call 311 (617-666-3311) for a free bottle of rust remover.

The Water Department also conducts additional year-round maintenance and annual water main flushing. The flushing program is currently ongoing and typically concludes in late October. Visit somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing to see flushing schedules by street (updated weekly)

Hydrant inspection and flushing schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors. Anyone with questions about hydrant maintenance can call 311 (617-666-3311). 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.