One of the major services homeowners and guests enjoy in Harris Estates is clean water. Coweta County Water and Sewage Authority provides water to our homes through several water sources, including the B.T. Brown Reservoir, a 300+ acre reservoir. The B.T. Brown that is able to deliver 10 million gallons of water per day and is only a few miles from Harris Estates on the other side of Happy Valley Circle Road.
FIRE HYDRANTS
Along the water pipes in the neighborhood are a few fire hydrants. Having a fire hydrant in your front yard can be both beneficial and come with certain responsibilities. Here are some key points to consider:
- Ownership and Responsibility: Fire hydrants are typically owned by the city or fire department². As a homeowner, you are responsible for keeping the area around the hydrant clear of obstructions, such as snow, weeds, and overgrown plants²³.
- Clearance Requirements: You must maintain a 3-foot clearance around the hydrant in all directions to ensure it remains visible and accessible to firefighters³. This means you should avoid parking vehicles or placing objects too close to the hydrant².
- Insurance Benefits: Having a fire hydrant on your property can potentially lower your homeowners insurance rates. The proximity of the hydrant can help firefighters respond more quickly in case of a fire, reducing potential damage¹.
- Parking Restrictions: It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. This ensures that firefighters have unobstructed access to the hydrant during emergencies².
- Landscaping Tips: You can landscape around the hydrant as long as you maintain the required clearance. Some homeowners incorporate the hydrant into their landscaping design to keep it visible and accessible³.
WATER CONNECTIONS
Each homeowner has a meter located in their front yard Coweta Water asks that all homeowners “not to mow over the top of the meter lid. This could result in damages to the meter, if damages occur you may be charged for repairs. You are welcome to weed eat around the outside edge of the meter lid.”
Most water lines are typically buried at least 4-6 inches below the lowest frost depth in our area to help prevent freezing and bursting. As always, prior to digging, its crucial to have all your utility lines marked. It is a free service to all Georgians. For more information, visit https://georgia811.com/
Homeowners are responsible for all leaks from the meter to their homes. However, you can apply for a leak adjustment on the Coweta County Water and Sewage website at https://www.cowetawater.com/. A few homeowners have irrigation systems in their yard. Coweta County requires a backflow test completed annually for any active irrigation system. Since our front entrance has an irrigation system, we pay for this inspection yearly.
Until next time, stay safe.
SOURCE MATERIALS:
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 9/1/2024
(1) Fire Hydrant on My Property (Your Rights & What You Can Do) – Yard Blogger. https://yardblogger.com/fire-hydrant-on-my-property/.
(2) Can You Landscape Around a Fire Hydrant? Tips and Guidelines. https://landscapingduty.com/can-you-landscape-around-a-fire-hydrant/.
(3) 6 Things You Need to Know If There’s a Fire Hydrant on Your Property. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/fire-hydrant-on-private-property/.
(4) How Close Can a Driveway Be to a Fire Hydrant? – CGAA. https://www.cgaa.org/article/how-close-can-a-driveway-be-to-a-fire-hydrant.