Hydrant Flushing Program
Hydrant Flushing begins Monday, April 21 through Friday, May2
The fire hydrants throughout the Village of Mount Prospects owned water distribution system will be flushed. The program takes about two weeks to complete, weather permitting. This annual program is done to ensure that all fire hydrants operate properly and to clear the Villages water distribution system of unwanted debris or sediment. There are no health hazards associated with the fire hydrant flushing program, however, you may notice discoloration of the water. Just simply leave your tap running for a couple of minutes and the color should disappear within a few minutes. Notice signs will be placed in neighborhoods and these signs will be removed once the flushing is completed in the neighborhood. For a more in depth look at the procedures and schedule, read the Fire Hydrant Flushing and Inspection Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
For more information about the Village of Mount prospects hydrant-flushing program, call Public Works at 847-870-5640.
Illinois American Water Utility Consumers
Illinois American Water will be flushing water mains and fire hydrants in the Chicago Suburban service area of the Village of Mount Prospect later this month. Flushing will be performed during the day and is scheduled to continue throughout the Fall. Timing of work may fluctuate due to weather conditions.
As our employees perform this work, we are reminding our customers for their safety and the safety of our employees to follow social distancing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We ask customers to not approach our employees. If customers have a question, they are encouraged to contact customer service at 800-422-2782.
Hydrant Painting Program
The Village of Mount Prospect owns, maintains, and operates an independent water system with approximately 2,227 fire hydrants. The hydrants to be sandblasted represent a variety of makes from manufacturers such as Mueller, East Jordan, and Traverse City.
To extend the life of fire hydrants and maintain aesthetics, the Village of Mount Prospect paints fire hydrants. This entails sandblasting to remove previous paint layers, applying a single coat of primer and a single coat of paint, and separating paint color on hydrant caps.
The caps will then be painted specific colors, representing the size of the water main that feeds each hydrant.
Red – 6” water main
Orange – 8” water main
Green – 10” or larger water main
Click here for the 2025 Hydrant Painting Overview Map.
The scope of work included in repainting a hydrant entails sandblasting each hydrant to remove layers of accumulated paint, priming, and recoating the hydrants. This work is important to keep hydrants functional and aesthetically appealing.
Typically, the Village or contractor will blast the hydrant to bare metal and then coat it with a white or grey primer. After the primer has dried, the contractor will follow up and paint the hydrant with a safety yellow enamel. The port caps will be painted a distinct color that helps Fire Department personnel determine what size water main serves the area. For a more in-depth look at the procedures and schedule, read the Hydrant Painting Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
If you have additional questions about the hydrant painting program, please call or email the Public Works Department at 847-573-8576.