HYDRANT PROGRAM OF THE WHEAT RIDGE WATER DISTRICT

All Wheat Ridge Water hydrants meters may only be used on a Wheat Ridge Water District hydrant (Hereafter WRW District), all of which are marked by a blue metallic label. Use of our meters on another utility’s hydrants will result in a fine and/or confiscation of the meter.

To obtain a permit. apply at least three days in advance (weekends excluded) to the office of the Wheat Ridge Water District, 6827 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Be prepared to pay your deposit(s) at that time. Call at 303-424-2844 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All past invoices must be paid in full to renew a permit. Once the permit is approved, you will be contacted to pick up your meter and permit from the office.

The Board of Directors of the Wheat Ridge Water District has revised the policy regarding the use of Fire Hydrants and Fire Hydrant Meter permits for 2024.

Chapter 11, Rule 94-A-1, 2, 3 and 4.

1.       Any agency/user requesting a Fire Hydrant use permit may be assigned a specific hydrant(s) at the discretion of the District Manager. Criteria for determining fire hydrant(s) location(s) will include, but is not limited to:

a.       Project location.

b.       Scope of the project.

c.       The agency requesting the permit.

d.       Previous use history of the requestor.

2.       Those agencies/users assigned to multiple hydrants, must “call-in” daily advising the District of the hydrant location and hydrant number being used.

3.       Any agency/user requiring use of a meter lasting a period greater than thirty (30) days is required to call the office of the District (303-424-2844) with the meter readings on the following date schedule:

January 25, 2024                                    July 25, 2024

February 23, 2024                                  August 26, 2024

March 25, 2024                                      September 25, 2024

April 25, 2024                                         October 25, 2024

May 24, 2024                                         November 25, 2024

June 25, 2024                                        December 23, 2024

Failure to follow the “call-in” schedule will generate two hundred and fifty ($250.00) in additional charges.

A passing backflow test will be required upon return of the hydrant meter. If there is no passing test provided at the time of hydrant meter return, a test and possible repairs cost will be taken from the damage deposit.

THE PERMIT HOLDER/APPLICANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE METER, BACK-FLOW DEVICE, FIRE HYDRANTS, STREETS AND ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE HYDRANT AS DETERMINED BY THE DISTRICT. REPAIRS WILL BE BILLED BASED ON A TIME AND MATERIALS BASIS.

CHARGES FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE HYDRANT USE PRIVILEGE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ANY OR ALL CHARGES MAY BE APPLIED TO EACH INCIDENT.

 A SECOND VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE POLICY WILL RESULT IN A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $2000.00 AND POTENTIAL REVOCATION OF THE HYDRANT METER PERMIT

Deposits are refundable subject to examination of all equipment and hydrants for damage. If any damage is present, the entire deposit is withheld until the meter, hydrant, and associated equipment is back in working order and the cost of all repairs determined.

Permits can be issued to allow hydrant water use for the following:

• Compaction
• Construction
• Demolition
• Dust control
• Hydro mulching    
• Landscaping work
• Pressure washing
• Sewer flushing (to fill cleaning trucks only)
• Street cleaning (to fill street cleaning machines)

Hydrant water should never be used for human consumption without use of approved hoses and connections, a valid water quality test and chlorination performed by WRW District, or a Denver Water approved laboratory prior to usage.

Hydrant water is not permitted for the following applications:

• Swimming pools    
• Retaining ponds    
• Ditches    
• Landscape maintenance (except through an air gap approved tanker truck)
• Ice rinks      

Hydrants cannot be operated during freezing weather (temperatures below 32 degrees) except in cases of emergency and operated only by fire department personnel. Hydrant permits may be restricted during droughts. Employees of WRWD shall be allowed to examine a hydrant permit when the hydrant is in use.

Failure to comply with the permit regulations will result in fines based on the number of occurrences.

• First Violation — $500.00
• Second Violation — $1,000.00
• Third Violation — $1,500.00 and 90-day suspension of all active permits.
• Violations involving theft or deliberate misuse of Equipment --- $2,000.00.
• Multiple violations of permit rules will result in a fine of up to $2,000.00.
• The District Manager shall have authority to exercise discretion in the assessment of fines based upon the totality of the circumstances. Appeals or protests of fines are to be directed to the District Manager.

(If a violation is issued, the permit holder may be required to come into WRW District for education on proper hydrant usage.)

WRW Water may revoke all existing permits issued to a permit holder or issue fines, for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

• Failure to provide timely meter reads as set forth above
• Use of a hydrant with an expired or a revoked permit.
• Failure to properly support the backflow assembly when attached to hydrant.
• Failure to attach a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly while operating hydrant.
• Failure to elevate the reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly while in use.
• Failure to provide documentation stating the permit holder has given permission to a subcontractor to use the permitted backflow assembly.
• Use of a pipe wrench or any assembly other than a proper hydrant wrench to open and close the hydrant or damaging the hydrant or its valve for any reason.
• Equipment in disrepair resulting in water waste.
• Other unauthorized use, misuse, theft, or other dishonesty involving WRW District hydrants or hydrant water use.
• Operating hydrants without proper technique to open and close hydrant valves slowly resulting in damage to hydrant and mains of the WRW District. Abrupt closing of a hydrant valves causes water hammer which can damage the hydrant and break the mains.

All permitted connections to a hydrant must include:

• Reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly that is testable and
• Proper support with adjustable jack stands or dolly with the use of a hydrant wrench.
• Hydrant Meter

Why do you require a reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly? Reduced pressure backflow assemblies protect the drinking water from high health hazards that may potentially contaminate the distribution system. A reduced pressure backflow device is required for all connections to a hydrant to protect WRWD’s distribution system from potential contamination. Permits must be on site when meter is in use. Copies can be made and kept in trucks for easy access.

What kind of support is required for meter and reduced pressure backflow prevention assembly? The Permit Holder is responsible for ensuring proper support for the Meter and Back Flow attached to any WRW District hydrant. Acceptable Meter and Back Flow support means the Meter and Back Flow is:
• Properly supported at all times.
• Upright (at least twelve inches above the ground/grade).
• Away from areas prone to water pooling