Water pressure varies among fire hydrants in Pennsylvania

Water pressure tests for fire hydrants in Western Pennsylvania are infrequent, with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County conducting 60 to 80 tests annually. A recent test in Hempfield showed a flow of 795 gallons per minute, exceeding the 500-gallon standard. The authority manages 8,800 hydrants across five counties. Municipalities pay $60 per hydrant yearly for maintenance, but flow tests cost extra. Fees increased by $10 for the 2025-26 fiscal year, expected to generate $526,000 in revenue. Hydrants are color-coded based on water flow capacity. Plum Borough Municipal Authority recently painted 600 hydrants according to National Fire Protection Association guidelines, which classify hydrants by flow rates using red, orange, green, and blue colors.