Fire Flow Program
Our climate is changing and the ability to successfully fight fires is an essential part of our future. "Fire flow" is the term firefighters use to describe how much water can be delivered by a water system through one or more hydrants to fight a fire at a specific location. To meet fire-flow standards, a water distribution system must deliver large amounts of water in a short period of time.
A first-ever master plan for making fire flow improvements began following voter approval in 1996. Voters agreed to pay an annual $75 fire flow fee on their property tax bills for 15 years to provide additional water flow for fighting fires and to help ensure the integrity of our water transmission system following a major earthquake.
In 2012 the Marin Water Board of Directors approved extending the $75 annual fire flow fee through 2031. The fee will fund water system improvements including replacing aging pipes and seismic stabilization/retrofits at pump stations and pipe bridges. (Review exemptions for the fire flow fee).
Marin Water works with fire officials, city managers, and public works directors to implement this program and reports regularly to city and county elected officials.