Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) resumed fire hydrant flow testing for this year beginning June 30 and continuing through October 30.


A total of about 4,500 hydrants will be tested this season. The areas included in the testing are Downtown, Over-the Rhine, Pendleton, Mount Adams, West End, Queensgate, Price Hill, Sedamsville, Delhi Hills, Sayler Park, Covedale, Westwood, North Fairmount, South Fairmount, English Woods, Mount Airy, College Hill, Northside, Camp Washington, West End, Clifton, CUF, Mount Auburn, Spring Grove Village, Winton Hills, Carthage, Bond Hill, Avondale, North Avondale/Paddock Hills, Evanston, Corryville, Walnut Hills, Oakley, Ridgewood, Kennedy Heights, Madisonville, Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Linwood, Turpin Hills, and Mount Washington.


Automated email messages will be distributed to affected residents in advance of the work, the customer’s email address is on file.

The hydrant flow testing process may temporarily discolor water and make it look red or brown. Following the testing, GCWW will flush the water pipes until they are clear. However, if your tap water appears discolored, it is recommended to run water from the tap for a few minutes until it becomes clear again. If the water remains discolored for longer than a few hours, please notify GCWW Customer Service at 513.591.7700.

All testing will be done during weekdays.

GCWW crews will be in the area along with a GCWW contractor, who assists with the hydrant flow testing. While our goal is to complete testing within two weeks, testing schedules may go longer depending on weather and accessibility.

All GCWW employees and GCWW contractors will wear a GCWW ID badge and show it upon request. We do not anticipate any need for access inside residents' homes.