Annual Hydrant Inspection - 2026


5/4/2026 • 9 days ago

 

Cambridge Fire and Water Departments will be conducting the annual fire hydrant inspection and maintenance on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., from April 27 through June 19. This process helps ensure maximum hydrant operability & proper water flows for firefighting. Annual hydrant inspection is also a factor in our National Class 1 fFire Protection Rating.

Engine 6 (from the River Street fire house) and Engine 8 (from the Taylor Square fire house) will start the inspections this year. Other engine companies will follow until every hydrant in the city is inspected. Ladder companies may assist as needed.

The planned schedule for 2026 is as follows:

Engine 6 (River St) & Engine 8 (Taylor Square)        Apr 27 – May 8

Engine 5 (Inman Sq) & Engine 9 (West Cambridge)  May 11 – May 22

Engine 3 (East Cambridge) & Engine 4 (North Cambridge)    May 26 – June 5

Engine 1 (Hovey Av) & Engine 2 (Lafayette Square)                June 8 – June 19

Schedules may change due to ongoing emergency responses or technical training activity or severe weather issues.

Hydrants will be visually inspected, checked for operability, and opened until water fully flows, and then shut down. They will be checked for proper drainage. This process will be repeated until every hydrant in the city is tested. There are nearly 2000 fire hydrants in the city. Any issues discovered will be reported to and repaired by Water Department staff technicians.

Proven reliability: Note that because of our long history of testing and maintenance of hydrants, Cambridge has experienced very few hydrant malfunctions during fire emergencies, especially during the winter.

For any questions about water quality, check the Cambridge Water Department website.

 

Hydrant district map
The City of Cambridge Engine Company Hydrant Inspection Districts

 

an Engine 6 firefighter opens the hydrant to start water flow
An Engine 6 Firefighter starts to open the hydrant

 

An Engine 6 firefighter fully flows the fire hydrant
The hydrant is completely opened to fully flow water

 

a firefighter closes the hydrant upon completion of the flow test
After water is fully flowed, the hydrant is shut down

 

An Engine 6 firefighter checks the hydrant for proper drainage
A firefighter checks for proper drainage from the barrel of the hydrant
Remember that if the hydrant does not drain, water in the barrel will freeze during the winter and make the hydrant unuseable

 

the members of Engine 6 testing hydrants
The members of Engine 6, group 3, out on the street testing hydrants in ther district