Use a Fire Hydrant

If customers need a water source for construction, demolition, and dust control or for similar purposes, DWSD recommends using a Temporary Water Connection, a water truck, or an on-site water storage tank. If these water sources are not available or are prohibited at your project site and you wish to use a fire hydrant as a temporary water source, you must first obtain a Fire Hydrant Use Permit from DWSD. This permit will authorize the applicant to operate a particular fire hydrant for the purpose of obtaining water on a temporary basis.

DWSD recommends applying for a permit at least 2 weeks before the permit is required. For demolition works or new construction, apply for hydrant permit when applying for demolition or construction permit at BSEED.

Submit a completed permit application for Temporary Use of a Fire Hydrant and site plan that shows the location of the hydrant. 
If usage request and need has been established within a memorandum of understanding with DWSD, please submit a copy of the MoU with the applicable fees listed in the document.

For Demolition and Developers, please bring application and payment to Building, Safety Engineering Environmental Department

Or visi http://www.detroitmi.gov/BSEED

Applicable Fees: 
Demolition Unmetered Residential $510.00
Demolition Unmetered Commercial $1920.00

For Demolition and Developers, please bring application and payment to:

Building, Safety Engineering Environmental Department (BSEED)
C.A.Y.M.A.C Suite #
2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Or visit their website http://www.detroitmi.gov/BSEED

Applicable Fees: 
Demolition Unmetered Residential $510.00
Demolition Unmetered Commercial $1920.00

For all other temporary requests, please bring application and payment to a DWSD Customer Care center

All requests which are determined that metering the water usage is needed, will require a $691.00 meter deposit and coordination with DWSD on meter install.

It typically takes two business days for DWSD and BSEED to process a hydrant use application. Applicant will receive a Fire Hydrant Temporary Use Permit that entitles the applicant to operate the hydrant for their use. The permit must be kept on site at all times while the fire hydrant is being used.