As well as being used for water supply maintenance purposes, water hydrants are a vital tool for the Fire Brigade.
Hunter Water and the NSW Fire Brigade have maintenance programs in place to ensure that the 50,000 water hydrants in the lower Hunter are visible, accessible and operational.
Last year Hunter Water inspected and, where required, cleaned and repaired around 1,200 hydrants under the annual hydrant and valve maintenance program.
More than 1,350 hydrants were also cleaned and/or repaired in response to requests and reports from members of the public as well as the NSW Fire Brigades and Rural Fire Services.
However hydrants are often hidden or obstructed by topsoil, plants or trees, or have vehicles parked over them.
If a hydrant near a home is covered by grass or soil, it could take precious time for fire fighters to locate and connect, which may hinder them in the event of a fire.
With bushfire season nearly upon us, Hunter Water is encouraging members of the community to identify hydrants close to their homes and report faulty or hidden water hydrants.
Hunter Water will organise for these hydrants to be located or repaired as part of Hunter Water's ongoing maintenance program.
Read our fact sheet on how to find a fire hydrant near your home.
