Quote Originally Posted by nova_robotics View Post
We only have above ground hydrants here in Canada and this whole country freezes up cock stiff every winter. I don't think that's an issue.

I'm not sure about the servicing either. I don't recall seeing anyone ever service a hydrant. I'm sure it happens at some crazy long interval, but I've never witnessed it. There are some antique looking ones here in Halifax. For 3 months of the year every car on the road is white. Not because they're white, but because they're caked in road salt. I'd be much more worried about the below-asphalt ones binding up solid from a constant soaking in road salt. And the snow plows absolutely shred the asphalt. If you had to get one of those little hatches open after being hit 30 or 40 times by a snow plow blade it might be a challenge to get it open.
as said - I can't speak for anyone, but it's my understanding that countries with freezing weather bury their water mains deeper, and so use the above ground hydrant model to bring the water up from below the frost line. Issues like road salt, and snowplows just aren't something I see here.. but would be part of the equation for countries which use them.