The Village of Mount Prospect owns, maintains, and operates an independent water system with approximately 2,227 fire hydrants. The hydrants to be sandblasted represent a variety of makes from manufacturers such as Mueller, East Jordan, and Traverse City.
To extend the life of fire hydrants and maintain aesthetics, the Village of Mount Prospect paints fire hydrants. This entails sandblasting to remove previous paint layers, applying a single coat of primer and a single coat of paint, and separating paint color on hydrant caps.
In 2024, the Village will paint 400 fire hydrants throughout the Village safety yellow. The caps will then be painted specific colors, representing the size of the water main that feeds each hydrant.
Red – 6” water main
Orange – 8” water main
Green – 10” or larger water main
Click here for the 2024 Hydrant Painting Overview Map.
The scope of work included in repainting a hydrant entails sandblasting each hydrant to remove layers of accumulated paint, priming, and recoating the hydrants. This work is important to keep hydrants functional and aesthetically appealing.
Typically, the Village or contractor will blast the hydrant to bare metal and then coat it with a white or grey primer. After the primer has dried, the contractor will follow up and paint the hydrant with a safety yellow enamel. The port caps will be painted a distinct color that helps Fire Department personnel determine what size water main serves the area. For a more in-depth look at the procedures and schedule, read the Hydrant Painting Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
If you have additional questions about the hydrant painting program, please call or email the Public Works Department at 847-573-8576.
