For the 2008 year.

Riverton Firefighters will be perform annual flow tests and inspect all fire hydrants in the upcoming year. Dates and locations will be posted in the Riverton Register and State Journal-Register as well as on this website.

The mandatory testing will be from 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. 5 days a week excluding weekends and with weather permitting. Residence of the Riverton Area Fire Protection District can expect some slight water discoloration during the test period due to the flushing. Testing will conclude once all hydrants are flowed.

The inspections and tests are required to determine the water flow available for fire fighting at various locations within the fire protection district. By measuring the flow from hydrants fire department personnel can determine the needed resources during an incident.

Another important reason for the annual tests is to allow firefighters to visually inspect and operate hydrants to determine whether they are fully functional or in need of maintenance.

During the tests motorists should be on the lookout for fire department personnel operating hydrants and walking near the roadway. Community members should not drive close or through flowing hydrants and be alert for fire department personnel operating hydrants. Water pressures can damage vehicles by either the pressure flowing out of the hydrant or debris (rocks, limbs, etc.) from the roadway striking the vehicles. All motorist should stop and wait for test to conclude which usually takes a matter of minutes.

Community members should refrain from using water if you notice the fire department testing hydrants in your area during the scheduled times.  Discoloration caused by the natural sediment being stirred up in the water mains may appear and will present with a muddy or rusty color. This sediment is not harmful, but may be minimized by running your water faucets during testing in your area. Residents may also want to run their washing machines for approximately half a cycle without clothes after flushing is complete to keep clothes from becoming stained.

This annual testing brings a benefit to the fire department as well as any resident of our community. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to call the fire department at 217.629.8107 or send an e-mail to Lt. Alan Franklin (alan.franklin@rafpd.org) or Firefighter Steve Mueller (steve.mueller@rafpd.org).

Picture above: Firefighter/hydrant coordinator Steve Mueller testing a hydrant on Route 54.

Picture above: Riverton Utility One is serving as the workhorse for testing hydrants. In the picture is the GPS and Laptop used for location, mapping and service logging of all hydrants.

Riverton members working on 7th street. 

Todd Suhling and Steve Mueller testing a hydrant on Washington St.

Picture above: All hydrants in the district of Riverton were numbered to aid in the location and identification of hydrants that need to be repaired.

Steve Mueller applying anti-seizure paste on to the threads so they do not freeze. 

Todd Suhling and Phil Peddycoart entering in data in to the computer.

Hydrant Map