City of Cedar Rapids

GETTING STARTED

• Review the Private Fire Hydrant Maintenance Program. 
• Visit CityofCR.com/MyCR and click “Sign Up For An Account” to create a My CR account to access the Private Fire Hydrant Permit application.
  • Use the Inspection Checklist provided by CRWD for inspection and maintenance when submitting reports. 
• Click here or use the online interactive map below to view private fire hydrants located on private property. 
• If you believe mapping is incorrect or a fire hydrant is located on an adjacent property, contact Private-Hydrants@cedar-rapids.org to verify mapping.

APPLY FOR A PERMIT

Log in to a MyCR account, navigate to Water, then Private Fire Hydrant Permit. You must be logged into a MyCR account to complete a permit application.

• Please allow a minimum of 5 business days for a response.
• Permits will be active for 7 business days from the work start date.
  • Inspection reports shall be submitted to CRWD within 10 business days from the work finish date.
  • A new permit application will need to be submitted if work will extend outside of the original 7-day limit for any reason.

If any work will extend into the public Right-of-Way, a Right-of-Way permit will be required. Please visit the Right of Way Permits & Working in the Right of Way page on the City’s website to learn more and submit a Right-of-Way permit application.

SUBMIT AN INSPECTION REPORT

• Visit Brycer’s The Compliance Engine website and click "register" at the top of the page.
• Register as an Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance company to upload inspection reports.
  • If one address has multiple private fire hydrants on the property, combine the inspection reports into one PDF document.
  • If there are multiple addresses associated with the property, upload the reports under each separate address.
  • As of December 2022, the price to upload a report was $17 per submittal.

CONTRACTOR RESOURCES

• City of Cedar Rapids General Supplemental Specifications to SUDAS Standard Specifications.
• City of Cedar Rapids GIS Infrastructure Viewer (Contractor only).
  • You may request login credentials through the Information Technology department. Email IT-GIS@cedar-rapids.org for more information.
  • City of Cedar Rapids Private Fire Hydrant map (no log-in required) -- see map above.

WATER QUALITY

Property owners of private hydrants with private service lines 4 inches or greater could have deteriorating water quality for domestic uses if the water that is housed in the service line is not turned over regularly. Depending on the length of service from where the line intersects with the City-owned water main and where the service enters the building, there could be a large amount of water that sits in the pipe. This can happen even if there is a “domestic” line that is 1 inch diameter tapped on the larger service line.

As water sits in the idle service line, taste, odor, and particulate or discoloration issues can develop. A biofilm of microbial growth can also occur as the residual disinfectant deteriorates, which can adversely affect water quality. Almost daily turnover of the volume of water contained in the plumbing is necessary for optimal water quality. If regular turnover is not accomplished on a near daily basis, then frequent flushing of the service line is recommended. To estimate the amount of water that needs to be used daily, calculate from the table below. Multiply the length of service line by the volume.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is a private fire hydrant?

Private fire hydrants are those that are located on private property, are connected to a private water main, or were installed for new construction at the cost of the developer. They are owned and maintained by the property owner.

What is a Private Fire Hydrant Permit?

A Private Fire Hydrant Permit is required prior to performing any work on site. The permit allows Cedar Rapids Water Division staff to review the area of work and determine if special requirements are needed prior to work. The permit will also serve as notice to the Cedar Rapids Water Division of planned private fire hydrant work and allow us to monitor who is operating a private fire hydrant. The issued permit must be present at the site.

What is the cost to submit a Private Fire Hydrant Permit?

There is no cost to the user to submit an application for a Private Fire Hydrant Permit.

Where can I find more information regarding private fire hydrants?

Please visit the City’s FAQ page and navigate to “Private Fire Hydrants” for more information.