Aquam Water Services has launched a free app, the Aquam Hydrant Finder, to help standpipe users locate the nearest water hydrants approved for use by water companies.
As a standpipe supplier, Aquam delivers legally compliant equipment to customers such as construction companies, local authorities, and event organizers, providing their own temporary supply of water.
The app currently has hydrant details from four water company partners, with more due soon as additional companies are added to the system. Access to the app is free for end-users who have completed Aquam’s Calm Network training to ensure they connect to the network competently and safely.
How to locate hydrants
The app displays the location and distance of the 10 nearest hydrants through a postcode search or GPS, providing technical details such as hydrant type and any additional information that the water company wishes to highlight. The accuracy of the information is primarily based on the data provided by individual utilities. The app gives water companies control of what information is displayed, allowing them to switch hydrants off and on, so unauthorized hydrants will not be displayed. The app was developed in collaboration with water company partners as a service enhancement.
The Aquam Hydrant Finder app is available on android and Apple phones and tablets, and some laptops.
Aquam operations director Stuart Henderson said: “We regularly get enquiries from our customers – the end-users who have hired standpipes – about where their nearest approved hydrant is. Historically, we would look through plans ourselves or contact the relevant water company directly and pass this information on.“Now, in response to customer feedback, end-users can now access that information themselves, making the process quicker and easier for them, and reducing the number of enquiries to water companies.“By using accredited Calm Network training as the gateway to the data, water companies are reassured that their water supply will only be accessed by individuals with acceptable levels of competence who fully understand the dos and don’ts of the network.”