Firefighters in Loudoun County have unlimited access to hydrants within the Loudoun Water central service area and they require no permit or meter to use them.

Use of a red hydrant is prohibited and is only to be used by Fire & Rescue and Loudoun Water personnel. Unlawful tampering with waterworks results in a Class 6 Felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. Maliciously tampering with hydrants results in a Class 3 Felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.

How can I access designated yellow hydrants?

View the list and map of Available Hydrants.

Loudoun Water hydrant meters are to be used only on yellow hydrants within Loudoun Water’s service area. This is generally defined as the area east of Goose Creek to the Fairfax County line.

Loudoun Water hydrant meters MAY NOT BE USED in any of Loudoun County’s incorporated towns, such as Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill, Lovettsville, and Middleburg, or outside the boundary of Goose Creek and the Fairfax County line. This includes Beacon Hill, Big Woods, Courtland Rural Village, Oatlands Manor, Raspberry Falls, Red Cedar West, The Reserve at Rokeby, Selma Estates, and Village Green at Elysian Heights. Any future village and/or hamlet community served by a groundwater well will also be restricted from hydrant meter usage.

Using Loudoun Water hydrant meters in any of the County’s towns, villages, hamlet communities, or anywhere outside Loudoun Water’s central service area is considered theft and can result in fines and prosecution by the jurisdictional authorities. A $500 penalty will be imposed by Loudoun Water if you are found using Loudoun Water meters outside our service area, on red fire hydrants, or for improper hydrant meter use.

If there are any questions, please contact our office for further clarification at 571-291-7880 Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

What are acceptable uses for a hydrant meter?

  • Construction activities including:
    • masonry, truck/tank fill, truck wash
    • facility commissioning and equipment testing at commercial sites, e.g. datacenters and high schools
  • Active construction site may request an onsite temporary hydrant(s). Temporary hydrant(s) approved by Loudoun Water Inspectors, will be painted a safety blue and are only to be used for activities associated with the construction project. For more information and to see if you qualify, please refer to Loudoun Water Workflow Informational Package for Land Development Projects – Temporary Hydrant Checklist
  • Landscaping: a one-time solution for watering new sod, trees, etc.  
  • Request for approval is required for pool fill or events, please contact Loudoun Water at 571-291-7880.

What uses are NOT acceptable for hydrant meters?

  • A source of potable water
  • Supplying an irrigation system (defined as a watering method with pipes/hoses underground)
  • Leaving the hydrant meter unattended at any time
  • Use on a red hydrant
  • Use on a white hydrant
  • Supplying an industrial cooling system for normal operations
  • Connecting hydrant meter to underground pipes for purposes of truck wash, construction, etc.

How is a hydrant meter and permit obtained? 

  • Obtain a permit for a hydrant meter at Loudoun Water’s Dale C Hammes Administration Building at 44865 Loudoun Water Way in Ashburn, VA. 
  • Bring the following information when applying for a Loudoun Water hydrant permit:
    • a valid, state-issued identification card (i.e. a driver's license)
    • a business card with the company name and the name of the person picking up the hydrant meter
    • a business license - Virginia or Loudoun County
    • copy of your Federal Tax Identification number (Copy of your W-9)
    • a check for your advance payment fee made out to LOUDOUN WATER
  • All customers are required to read and sign the permit acknowledging the proper use of hydrants.
  • The signed permit and copies of all required information is kept on file for the life of agreement.
  • All trucks must be inspected for proper cross connection/backflow specifications prior to issuing a hydrant meter.

What are the requirements once I receive a hydrant meter and permit?

  • Hydrant meter readings must be submitted by the 15th of each month in one of the following ways:
  • Damage to the hydrant or meter must be reported immediately to Loudoun Water by calling 571-291-7878.
  • This permit may be revoked without notice for failure to comply with all instructions included on this permit or under emergency circumstances as determined by Loudoun Water.

What are the backflow/cross-connection requirements when using a hydrant meter?

  • Either an air gap or a RPZ is required to provide backflow protection when connecting to a hydrant. In most cases, this will be an air gap.
  • If it is not possible to construct an air gap, an RPZ must be installed and tested.
    •  Some examples:
      • If you are holding a hose and watering plants or washing down streets, there is no risk of a backflow event.
      • To fill a truck or a tank, you must have a fixed pipe with a gap where the water drops into the tank. This prevents the possibility of the water being suctioned from the tank through the hose.
      • To connect to a power washer, an RPZ will be needed because an air gap is not possible.
    • All trucks must be inspected for proper cross connection/backflow specifications prior to issuing a hydrant meter.

See diagrams below for what is required.

What is required to operate the hydrant meter? 

  1. The hydrant must be flushed before attaching the meter.
  2. Turn off the hydrant and attach the meter, making sure the gate valve on the meter is closed.
  3. Turn on the hydrant; the valve must be in the full open position when in operation.
  4. Operate the gate valve on the meter only when turning water on and off.
  5. All valves must be opened and closed slowly.

When you are done with the meter and/or the expiration date occurs, what are the requirements?

  • The hydrant meter and issued wrench MUST be returned to Loudoun Water when the meter is no longer needed and/or by the expiration date listed on the permit. Permit is valid for one year from date issued.
  • A penalty will be imposed if this hydrant meter is not returned by the expiration date listed above and/ or for failure to return the issued wrench.
  • Hydrant meter permits can be renewed prior to the one-year expiration following the process previously stated and the meter will need to be calibrated.
    • You will need to drop off the hydrant meter to Loudoun Water for calibration. Calibration may take up to one week. Please plan accordingly.

What are the charges and penalties associated with the hydrant meter?

Charges and penalites can be viewed on our Rates, Fees, Charges and Penalities page.