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Preparing for a Protection Class Evaluation: Water Purveyors

Prior to your community's Protection Class evaluation, WSRB will request documentation about your water system, fire hydrants, maintenance practices, and fire protection capabilities.


This article explains how to complete the Water System Questionnaire and what supporting documentation to provide. 

In this article, you will explore the following:


What you'll receive

Prior to the evaluation, you'll receive an email from WSRB containing:

  • The Water System Questionnaire (PDF)
  • Instructions for completing and returning the questionnaire
  • Any additional information specific to your community's evaluation

Download and save the questionnaire before you begin.

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Required documentation

The Water System Questionnaire collects information used to evaluate your community's water supply for fire protection.

In addition to the completed questionnaire, please provide the following information:

  • A copy of your current Water System Plan (if applicable)
  • Fire hydrant flow test results conducted within the last five years
  • A map or other resource showing the location of all fire hydrants in your system

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Water System Plan

Please provide a copy of your current Water System Plan, even if it was prepared several years ago.

If your water system:

  • Is not required to maintain a Water System Plan, simply indicate this in the questionnaire notes.
  • Posts the plan online, you may provide a link instead of submitting the document. Please include the website address in the questionnaire notes.

If computer modeling of water flows was completed as part of the Water System Plan, please include:

  • Water modeling reports
  • Applicable appendices
  • Water maps

These materials help WSRB identify available fire flows throughout the system.

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Hydrant Maps

Please provide a map showing the location of all fire hydrants within your system.

While water distribution maps may be included with your Water System Plan, this request specifically refers to fire hydrant locations.

Whenever possible, provide hydrant mapping in a GIS-compatible format, such as a shapefile.

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Filling Out the Questionnaire

Fire Hydrant Information

Several questions within the questionnaire require special attention.



Total Number of Fire Hydrants

Report the total number of fire hydrants within your water system.

Hydrants with Pumper Outlets on 4-Inch Branch Lines

Only include hydrants equipped with pumper outlets on a 4-inch branch line when completing this field.

Hydrant Inspection Records

If you indicate that fire hydrant inspections are recorded in a maintenance log, please include copies of those inspection records with your submission.

Inspection records may be maintained in:

  • Digital systems
  • Paper records
  • Other maintenance tracking systems

Any format is acceptable, provided the documentation is complete and accurate.

Water System Maintenance

The questionnaire also requests information about water system maintenance practices.

Interior Tank Inspections

The inspection frequency refers to interior inspections of water tanks or reservoirs—not exterior inspections.

Interior inspections may be completed by:

  • Divers
  • Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
  • Draining the tank

Valve Inspection Frequency

Questions regarding:

  • Pressure reducing valves
  • Pressure sustaining valves
  • Altitude valves
  • Flow control valves

refer to the frequency of inspection, not how often the valves are rebuilt.

Valve Maintenance Records

If tank control valve and isolation valve inspections are recorded in a maintenance log, please include copies of those inspection records with your submission.

Maintenance records may be electronic or paper-based, provided they accurately document inspection activity.

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Submit your documents

Once you've gathered the requested documentation, attach the files to your reply to the original WSRB evaluation request email.

If possible, submit reports in their original electronic format to help streamline the review process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if we don't have a Water System Plan?

If your system is not required to maintain a Water System Plan, simply indicate that in the questionnaire notes.

Can I provide a link instead of uploading the Water System Plan?

Yes. If the plan is available on your organization's website, provide the web address in the questionnaire notes.

Do you need water distribution maps or hydrant maps?

Both can be helpful, but the requested map specifically identifies the location of fire hydrants. A GIS-compatible format, such as a shapefile, is preferred whenever available.

What format should maintenance logs be in?

Any format is acceptable—including digital records, scanned documents, or paper logs—as long as the documentation is complete and accurately records inspection activities.

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Need additional assistance?

If you have questions about the requested documentation or need assistance during the evaluation process, please contact your WSRB representative or reply directly to the evaluation request email. 

We're happy to help.