Have you noticed some blue or other colored bands on the fire hydrants around Stow lately? It is, indeed, something new.

The bands aren't painted, but rather reflective tape.

Service Director Mike Miller said the reason for having the tape is two-fold.

One important reason is to make the hydrants more visible at night, he said.

The other reason is that the bands indicate the water flow from each particular hydrant, Miller said. 

While many have been marked with blue, there are other colors being taped to the hydrants around town.