Don’t hide your hydrant

Firefighters use water hydrants to access the water supply in the case of a fire. They’re also used by our field crews for maintenance purposes.

Water hydrants are placed below ground, with their lids located on the road or footpath. In urban areas, water hydrants are usually positioned along one side of the street about 120 metres apart, and in rural areas, they are located around 220 metres apart.

The proximity of a water hydrant is identified by small indicator signs on posts, telegraph poles or along the shoulder of the road or gutter.

Water hydrants can be identified by their bright yellow, cast iron, square-shaped lids that have a capital 'H' on the top. This assists firefighters to quickly identify them.

During an emergency, such as a bushfire or house fire, it is important to know where the water hydrant is located. Having clear access to a water hydrant can impact how quickly you’re able to bring an emergency under control.

It is important to ensure there are no obstructions preventing firefighters from locating and connecting hoses to hydrants, or that the hydrant is not covered by grass or soil.

There should also be no bush or tree limbs that could interfere with anyone approaching the hydrant and attempting to operate it.