ARLINGTON, TX — With fire emergencies demanding immediate response, ensuring water flows from fire hydrants when needed is a top priority. That’s why the City of Arlington is conducting its annual fire hydrant testing across all neighborhoods—a proactive step to confirm emergency readiness citywide.
Arlington maintains approximately 12,000 fire hydrants, 10,000 of which are city-owned, while the remainder are privately maintained. Crews from the Arlington Fire Department and Water Utilities team up each year to inspect and test every hydrant within the city’s 99-square-mile boundary.
City Manager Trey Yelverton recently joined Arlington firefighters on-site in an episode of “On the Clock,” demonstrating the testing process. Though residents may notice water running for several minutes during the tests, Fire Lt. Adam Evans explains it’s vital: “We flow the hydrants until we get clear water. That confirms the system is clean, functioning properly, and provides sufficient pressure where it’s needed.”
Hydrant testing is not unique to Arlington. Cities across Texas are required to conduct regular inspections under state regulations to maintain water quality, prevent system failures, and support emergency response preparedness.
To learn more or watch the full On the Clock episode, visit YouTube.com/CityofArlington.
