GPS mapping and maintenance of the city’s nearly 300 fire hydrants will be contracted to an outside firm, the end result likely leading to a saving of money in Smithville’s insurance rating.

“It will help with ISO rating,” said Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker of the overdue maintenance needed on the numerous fire plugs around the city. “It will also help with water flow and not just at the hydrant.”

The chief told the city board of mayor and aldermen that the fire department does not have the manpower to undertake the extensive project. However, the GPS mapping and blowing out of the hydrants is something that needs to be done. The answer is contracting a third party to do the project at $75 per hydrant. Fire hydrants costsabout $2,000 new.

For the city’s money, they will get the plug backwashed, clearing each until they pass the white cup test. They would then be mapped to their exact GPS locations so they can be found easily during emergency.

The outside company will not paint the fire plugs. The painting will remain the city’s responsibility. The fire hydrants are to be color coded according to their various pressure since pressure varies as to location.