LRFD Testing Fire Hydrants

NEWS RELEASE                                                                 

 For more information, contact:

 Assistant Chief Don Bradley

501.918.3700                                                                

E-mail:  DBradley@littlerock.org                                     

For immediate release:  March 28, 2011

Little Rock Fire Department to test fire hydrants in April

LITTLE ROCK — During the month of April, the Little Rock Fire Department, in coordination with Central Arkansas Water (CAW), will be conducting the first phase of the year 2011 flow-and-drain tests on public fire hydrants within the city limits of Little Rock.  Because the inspections involve the increased flow of water from fire hydrants, some customers may notice discolored water at the tap during the process.

The flow-and-drain inspections will begin Saturday, April 2, and will continue each week through Friday, April 29.  Each week, Fire Department crews will conduct tests during daylight hours in a different geographical quadrant of the City.  The testing is a part of routine semi-annual maintenance on the fire hydrants.  CAW customers received advance notification on the testing by way of an informational pamphlet that accompanied their March utility billing statements.

The purpose of the inspections is two-fold:  To check fire hydrants for proper operation, leaks, and other possible maintenance concerns and to comply with the requirements of the City's Class 2 fire insurance rating.  The flow-and-drain tests also help to enhance water quality by turning over water in low-usage water mains.

 
The City of Little Rock's firefighting system has approximately 7,300 public fire hydrants that the Fire Department and Central Arkansas Water maintain.  The department conducts the flow-and-drain tests twice a year — in April and October — to ensure the fire hydrants are operating properly and are usable in the event of a fire or other emergency that requires water.  A quality firefighting system means better protection of people, property, and public health and, in some cases, lower home insurance premiums.  Firefighters conduct the testing during daylight hours to pose as little inconvenience as possible to residents and businesses.

The increased flow of water from the hydrants occasionally causes the scouring of manganese that has built up on the lining of water mains.  The scouring can result in discolored water at the customer's tap.  The discolored water is bacteriologically safe but can stain clothing so the utility advises customers NOT TO WASH clothing in the discolored water.  CAW further advises customers to check for discolored water in their washing machines before washing clothes during the designated flushing period for their geographical area.

If a customer has discolored water for more than an hour, the customer should call Central Arkansas Water at 501.377.1239.

The following is the April 2011 fire hydrant testing/inspection schedule for the City of Little Rock:

AREA 1

                          April 2 – 8         Area of the City of Little Rock within a line that roughly runs along University Avenue south from the Arkansas River to Fourche Creek at Mabelvale Pike and Arch Street, east to Broadway, and north to the Arkansas River (excludes the University of Arkansas at Little Rock/UALR and area south of Asher Avenue, east of University Avenue, and west of Fourche Creek)

AREA 2

                        April 9 – 15         Area of the City of Little Rock east of Broadway

AREA 3

                      April 16 – 22         Area of the City of Little Rock roughly bounded by the Arkansas River on the north; University Avenue on the east; 29th Street on the south; and the city limits on the west

AREA 4

                      April 23 – 29         Area of the City of Little Rock west of University Avenue, area south of 28th Street, and all of Southwest Little Rock (includes Broadmoor Subdivision and UALR campus)

Make-up Days

                 April 30 – May 6         Make-up days

The Fire Department and water utility cannot provide the exact day of the week that firefighters will be testing in a specific neighborhood; however, the Fire Department tests only during the daytime and will test in each geographical quadrant during the week designated.