Resources & Projects

Keep Fire Hydrants and Water Meters Clear

Keeping Hydrants and Meters Clear Is Extremely Important For Your Safety And Ours

hidden_hydrantAre the fire hydrants and water meters on your property visible and accessible? Ensuring that fire hydrants and water meters are in good working condition are two priorities for the District. When a fire breaks out, firefighters rely on being able to quickly locate and use fire hydrants. In addition, district staff strives to be efficient and read each meter quickly and safely, reading an average of 400 meters per day. Both of these can be difficult when plant material or other items such as fences, rockeries, cars or construction debris hide hydrants and meter or make them difficult to access.

If you have fire hydrants or water meters on your property, TVWD asks you to maintain the proper clearance:

Water Meters Must:

  • Be clear six feet above the meter box
  • Have two feet of clearance to each side
  • Have "free and clear" access, which means our meter readers can easily access the meter

Fire Hydrants Must:

  • Be visible from the street
  • Have a 3-foot clearance radius all the way around
  • Have a ground clearance of hydrant ports of 18 inches
  • Have all obstructions trimmed or removed
  • Never be painted

According to our Rules and Regulations for water use, the user is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient access to the meter and shutoff valve at all times and by connection to the system, the user consents to the right of TVWD employees or agents to remove obstructions as necessary to maintain access to the meter (TVWD Rules and Regulations document, Section 13 (PDF)).

Since hydrant and meter accessibility and visibility is of great importance, TVWD asks you to maintain the proper clearance. We know most homeowners prefer to do landscape adjustments themselves, but if there are still obstructions after proper notification is given, the District will take corrective action.

For more information and to see examples of unacceptable fire hydrants and water meter obstructions, please take a look atour Keep Fire Hydrants and Keep Fire Hydrants and Water Meters Clear brochure (PDF).

Building A New Fence, Rockery or Landscaping?

Please plan ahead so we can provide good service and you can avoid the expense of moving your fence, rockery or landscaping when it's built.