Illinois American Water is reminding residents in its service communities to clear snow from fire hydrants that may be located on or near their property. This winter’s snow accumulation, combined with the after-effects of plowing roads and parking lots, has
left many fire hydrants partially or completely buried in snow.

By keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, the public can help firefighters easily locate the fire hydrants in the event of an emergency and allow them to access water quickly, preserving valuable time and potentially saving lives and structures. Illinois American Water annually inspects and maintains over 29,000 hydrants throughout Illinois in all service districts including Alton, Cairo, Champaign, Chicago Metro, Interurban (Metro East), Lincoln, Pekin, Peoria, Pontiac, South Beloit, Sterling and Streator.

If you have a fire hydrant on or near your property, please take a few minutes to clear away the snow so it is visible in the event of an emergency. Remember, quick access to fire hydrants benefits everyone.