Council makes progress on fire hydrant checking

6 February 2018

In the wake of a major fire in William Street in February last year (2017), Orange City has stepped up its system of testing water hydrants.

The current round of testing is almost complete, but like painting the Harbour Bridge, it will be an ongoing project that will get an ongoing priority.

The William street fire showed up potential problems when valves had been turned off inadvertently.

Valves are used to turn water flow off and on in a water main. The valves can shut down a section of water main in order to repair a break, undertake maintenance or install a new water main or water service to a property.

There are 4,131 valves across Orange’s streets.

Since March last year 100% of the valves have been inspected to see if they can be found and how visible they are. To make them easy to find, both valves and hydrant covers are painted a contrasting colour.

So far 88% of the valves have been tested to check if the water can be turned on and off and that process is continuing.

The other element in the water infrastructure is hydrants, where fire-fighting equipment can be connected to a water line. There are 4,758 hydrants in Orange. 98% have been inspected to check if they are able to be used and are visible. A further round of water-flow and pressure testing is continuing.

Where defects are found, a program of repairs and maintenance has already begun. Council has bought a truck-mounted vacuuming machine at a cost of around $250,000 which clears dirt from the inside of the valves and hydrants so they can be used.

On top of the cost of the vacuum-truck, the council has spent more than $300,000 on this program including putting on four extra contract staff