The water system in Manatee County is owned and maintained by the county, this includes fire hydrants.
The Manatee County Public Works manual provides the public with the requirements and specifications for installation.
All water lines and fire hydrants must be installed in accordance with the Manatee county Public Works Standard and dedicated to Manatee County when they are connected to the water distribution system.
Fire hydrants shall be located no more than 800’ apart and within 400’ of a main entrance of all non-residential buildings in a development. All new water lines are on a minimum 6 inch line but they can be much greater in size.
Attached to water lines are the required Backflow Preventers. They are “U” shaped devices that stick up out of the ground and keep the drinking water safe from contamination by stopping the water from flowing backwards into the system.
All backflows (potable or fire line) are required to have an annual test by a certified tester. You can find a list of qualified testers on Manatee County Utilities website.
Homes built prior to 1987 may not have a backflow preventer but will be required to install one if modifications are done to the home.
Although fire hydrants are used by your fire department, testing and maintenance is the responsibility of the County to maintain their system. When you see a fire hydrant flowing slowly and no one is around, utility workers from the county are flushing out the lines.
Dirt and debris can accumulate causing a dirty water effect. If you have concerns on a flowing hydrant, you may contact the county at 941-792-9479.
Hydrants located out of the right of way or on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. This means the property owner is responsible for the annual testing and any maintenance of the hydrants located on their property.
If your private hydrant does not operate properly, you are responsible to get the unit fixed as soon as possible. This will affect your insurance if not repaired.
Every year, the property owner is responsible for having the private hydrant flow tested and paperwork sent into your local fire department.
What Does This This All Mean For You?
Your local fire department may stop by annually to put “eyes” on the hydrant and flush out any dirt. It is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 25) Code requirement to exercise the valves but not necessary to “flow” the hydrant. Fire hydrants using the public supply system are painted chrome yellow and their tops painted to show available GPM (gallons per minute).
- Below 500 gpm should be red
- 500-999 gpm should be orange
- 1000-1499 should be green and
- 1500 gpm and above should be blue.
All backflow preventers, (residential, commercial or fire) need an annual test by a certified company.
Fire hydrants not located in the public right of way are considered private. They are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and test annually.
Fire hydrants in the right of way and owned by the county are the responsibility of the county to maintain and test annually.
This content was originally shared by the Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue District Newsletter.
