Each year, we flush the pipes in your local water distribution system. Flushing helps maintain optimal water quality, and ensures your neighborhood’s fire hydrant system is working properly.
What is Watermain Flushing?
Watermain Flushing is part of annual drinking water system maintenance and is often done in spring/early summer, but can be done whenever needed.
Flushing moves large volumes of water through sections of the system. The increased flow rate scours the water pipe’s inner walls to remove naturally occurring, but harmless, sediments and deposits. The water is then discharged through fire hydrants or flushing hydrants. Flushing also replaces aged water in the system with fresh, treated water. This is important where watermains end, and in systems where usage varies.
Flushing also provides an opportunity for our crews to check the operation of fire hydrants and emergency water flow – critical for fire fighting in your community. Our crews opening and closing street fire hydrants is the activity most people will notice and have seen before.
What can customers expect?
We always notify residents ahead of time when flushing is planned for their neighborhood, and these are posted on the Alerts Page. Use caution if transiting through an area where flushing is being done.
During flushing work, customers may notice a drop in water pressure or discolored water. This is normal and temporary. If this happens, run water from the cold water tap until discoloration subsides. Do not use hot water until discoloration disappears.
Things you should do
In your home you should:
- Draw water for cooking ahead of time;
- Store water in the refrigerator for drinking;
- Check for discolored water before using the washing machine or dishwasher; and
- If after flushing, water pressure appears low, clean the faucet aerator (screen). Mineral deposits may have obstructed flow through the aerator.
If low water pressure and/or discoloration continues for an extended period, please call Customer Service.
We post flushing notices on this website under Alerts, but if you would like to receive email or voice notifications, you can manage notification preferences in My Utility Account. Learn more and sign up here.