Hydrant upper operating rods and grease in the operating chamber of Waterous Model Pacer and Trend fire hydrants that bear year markings of 1999 through 2004 must be replaced. American Flow Control will hire an authorized contractor to do the repairs at no expense to the owner, or it will provide a free replacement kit and a labor allowance for each hydrant repaired.

For Customer Questions, please call 866-683-3911 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, e-mail waterousquestions@waterousco.com or click on the links to the left for additional information.

To view more information about replacement parts and materials, please select items from the menu below:

• Waterous Pacer Hydrant Identification
• Waterous Trend Hydrant Identification
• Upper Standpipe Measurement Locations
• Fire Hydrant Owners Field Service Manual

Collecting Labor Allowance

• Reporting & Labor Allowance Claim Procedures

GRA

A GRA number is assigned to a municipality or water district to be used as an identifier for tracking hydrant operating rods that are returned to Waterous. If you have not been assigned a GRA number, or you do not know the number that was assigned to you sometime in the past, please call Waterous Customer Service at our toll-free number, 866 / 683-3911 and ask for a GRA number.

Nozzle Thread Specification Numbers

Although many cities’ hydrants use 2-½ inch and 4-½ inch National Standard hose threads, there also many cities where the nozzle threads are not National Standard. Waterous maintains a record of each city’s approved thread specification number (also known as TP-numbers). If you do not know the Waterous TP-number that is used to identify the details of the specifications for the hydrant outlet nozzle threads, please contact Waterous Customer Service at 1-866-683-3911 or via email at waterousquestions@waterousco.com.

Other Configuration Details

Other details of the configuration of the hydrants may be needed to allow Waterous to furnish the proper parts that are supplied as they are needed during the remediation process. Waterous will supply parts such as nozzle caps, operating nuts, and nozzles, which are not typically supplied for the rod replacement program, where those parts are discovered to require replacement.

AFC is providing to customers a $40 labor allowance for the labor costs for each Waterous fire hydrant in which the grease and upper operating rod are removed and replaced as part of AFC's Hydrant Remediation and Rod Replacement program. To receive the labor allowance, we ask that you complete and return the Waterous Hydrant Remediation and Rod Replacement Log sheet and the rod that was removed from the fire hydrant. The Log Sheet records contact information, including your name, telephone number, mailing and shipping addresses and information regarding the location and description of the fire hydrant. Each Log Sheet has space to record information for 15 fire hydrants.

We ask that you contact Waterous Customer Service at our toll-free number, 866-683-3911, to arrange for the shipping of the replaced rods to Waterous at no charge to you.

Upon return of the hydrant rods and completed Log Sheet to Waterous, AFC will process the payment to you for the labor allowance of $40 for each hydrant repaired.

Please contact Waterous Customer Service at 866-683-3911, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, if you have any questions, or if you need additional Log Sheets.

Waterous Company is a subsidiary of American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) and manufactures products sold and marketed by the American Flow Control (AFC) division of ACIPCO. ACIPCO’s goal for more than 100 years has been to provide the public with safe, dependable, high-quality products. In order to keep the high standards for which our company is known, we have undertaken to repair all upper hydrant-operating rods in all of the fire hydrants that are described in this notice. We proudly stand behind our products, and will continue to deliver reliable products and customer service, which are the foundation of our company. We appreciate your business.

1. What is the problem?
   Waterous has found corrosion on some of the Waterous fire hydrant operating rods in hydrants bearing cast dates from 1999 through 2004. (Pacer Models WB67-250 and W67-250, and Trend Model WB77). 
2. What is the cause of the corrosion?  Waterous used grease in hydrants bearing cast dates from 1999-2004 which contained an acetate additive that makes corrosion of the hydrant operating rod possible. 
3. What is the effect of the corrosion on the hydrant?
   As the corrosion progresses the hydrants will become increasingly harder to operate. In cases of extreme corrosion, hydrants can become inoperable. 
4. Are my hydrants safe?
   Hydrants which have been inspected and maintained pursuant to American Water Works Association, AFC, and Waterous maintenance and inspection procedures, and have recently been found to be operating properly, should continue to operate until the repairs are completed according to our notice. 
5. What is AFC going to do to solve this situation?
   AFC is instituting a hydrant operating rod replacement program to remove the existing grease and replace the operating rods in all of these model hydrants bearing cast dates from 1999 through 2004. Waterous is providing the parts and materials to all customers free of charge and is providing a labor allowance of $40 per hydrant to customers for each hydrant that is repaired. 
6. How will the rod replacement program work?
   AFC is sending a letter of notice to all customers of the rod replacement program. Waterous will furnish customers at no charge, operating rod replacement, parts, grease, and instructions necessary for replacing hydrant rods. Customers may request rod replacement parts and materials from Waterous Customer Service, call 1-866-683-3911 or through our website. Along with the replacement parts and materials are forms for customers to complete stating the location, model and cast year marking of each hydrant repaired. Upon return of the hydrant rod and completed form to Waterous, AFC will pay the customer a labor allowance of $40 for each hydrant repaired. 
7. When should I perform the rod replacement?
   Rod replacement should be combined with inspection and maintenance of hydrants as outlined in American Water Works Association standards, AFC product catalogs, and Waterous maintenance and inspection procedures. If your periodic inspection and maintenance program is not scheduled to include Waterous fire hydrants in the upcoming several months, then AFC recommends that you accelerate your schedule. 
8. Is there a problem with using food grade greases in hydrants?
   No. The problem as it exists in this case is with grease that contains acetate. 
9. What if the end user has no way of tracking the hydrants by the dates in question?
   The end user will have to inspect each Waterous Pacer or Trend hydrant to identify those bearing cast dates from 1999 through 2004. Instructions for identifying these hydrants are available on our website. 
10. How do I know that hydrants built after 2004 are not affected by the problem?
    During the year of 2004, Waterous stopped using the grease that can make corrosion possible. 
11. Will the repair eliminate this problem in our hydrants?
    Yes. The grease and the operating rods that are affected by corrosion are being replaced. 
12. What will I do with the old operating rods that are taken out of hydrants?
    All operating rods that are taken out will need to be returned to Waterous. 
13. How is shipping handled for the rods that are to be returned to Waterous?
    We ask that you contact Waterous Customer Service at the toll-free number, 866/683-3911, to arrange for the shipping of the rods to Waterous at no charge to you. 
14. What will I do about disposal of used cleaning solvent?
    Used cleaning solvent should be disposed of in accordance with state and local regulations. 
15. How do I order the rod replacement parts and materials?
    The parts and materials can be ordered by calling Waterous Customer Service at 1-866-683-3911. 
16. How long will these parts and materials be offered?
    Presently there is no deadline for ordering rod replacement parts and materials.
17. What grease should I use in maintaining my hydrants?
    You should not use any food grade grease which contains acetate. Packaged hydrant lubricant, food grade grease, sold for repair and maintenance by Waterous in a 1-pint container (V-1934), or in a 5-pound container (V-3174) is filled with the proper grease. Otherwise, use Fuchs FM Grease 387.

American Flow Control (AFC) is advising customers that grease that was used in certain Waterous Pacer and Trend model fire hydrants contains an acetate additive that makes corrosion of the upper hydrant operating rod possible. The affected fire hydrants are Pacer and Trend fire hydrants manufactured from 1999 through 2004. Once started, this condition worsens over time, making hydrants hard or, in extreme cases, impossible to operate. A fire hydrant that is difficult or impossible to operate poses a serious threat to life and property.

Therefore, the upper hydrant operating rod and grease in the operating mechanism of each Pacer and Trend hydrant manufactured beginning in 1999 and through 2004 must be replaced. The year of manufacture of these fire hydrants appears in raised numerals on the back of the nozzle section casting.

Replacement of the hydrant operating rod and grease should be combined with routine inspection and maintenance procedures as recommended in American Water Works Association manuals and standards, and as recommended by inspection and maintenance procedures that are included in AFC and Waterous manuals and product catalogs. If your periodic inspection and maintenance program is not scheduled to include Waterous fire hydrants in the upcoming several months, then AFC recommends that you accelerate your schedule. AFC will provide, at no charge to you, all of the necessary parts, grease and oil; instructions; plus a labor-cost allowance of $40 for each hydrant that you repair.

If you believe that you may have Waterous fire hydrants that are the subject of this notice, please contact Waterous Customer Service at 866-683-3911, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST. Waterous Customer Service will provide an order form describing the information that is necessary for ordering the correct materials and parts. You may also contact your AFC sales representative or distributor for further information, or visit www.american-usa.com.

AFC recommends that customers discontinue the use of any grease containing acetate in any Waterous fire hydrants. Packaged grease in one-pint (part number V1934) or five-pound (part number V3174) plastic containers that have been supplied by AFC or Waterous Company does not contain acetate and is suitable for continued use. AFC recommends using Fuchs FM Grease 387, in its hydrants.

Waterous Company is a subsidiary of American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) and manufactures products sold and marketed by the American Flow Control (AFC) division of ACIPCO. ACIPCO’s goal for more than 100 years has been to provide the public with safe, dependable, high-quality products. In order to keep the high standards for which our company is known, we have undertaken to repair all upper hydrant-operating rods in all of the fire hydrants that are described in this notice. We proudly stand behind our products and will continue to deliver reliable products and customer service, which are the foundation of our company. We appreciate your business.

• Joy Carter (205) 325-4735
• Crystal Sorrelle (205) 307-2984