Hydrant Flushing and Waterline Maintenance

 

You may notice Water Department crews working at fire hydrants and see water running down the street. Normally in the spring and fall, we flush water lines through the use of fire hydrants, which is an important preventive maintenance activity. Although it may appear to waste water, the process is part of a routine maintenance program necessary to maintain the integrity of the water system and allowing us to ensure the hydrants are in proper working order. Hydrants that are found to not be in working order are tagged and submitted for repair.

As a result of the line flushing process, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water.  This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and air and does not affect the safety of the water.  If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your home by running all water faucets for a few minutes.

The same philosophy of water line and hydrant preventive maintenance is one that you should use in your own home to ensure the quality of water inside your home. Your home’s water heater should be drained and flushed on a regular basis, according to manufacturers’ recommendations, to keep it working effectively and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the water system need to be routinely flushed?

The town’s water distribution system is a complex network of pipes and storage reservoirs where sediment or deposits may naturally accumulate over time.  If not removed, these materials may cause water quality deterioration, taste and odor problems, or discoloration of the water. Water may also stagnate in lesser used parts of the distribution system. This can result in degraded water quality.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
When does flushing normally occur?

Normally, flushing takes place for approximately a two-week period during early spring and in the fall. Crews from the Water Department flush the lines between the hours of 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
What should I do when I see a flushing hydrant in my area?

If you see a Water Department employee flushing hydrant, PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
What should I do after the flushing?

If the tap water is used during flushing, it could come out with sediment and discoloration. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes.  If not, wait a few more minutes and check again.  In some cases, you may experience slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
What should I do if my water pressure or volume seems low after flushing?

Check your faucet aerator screens for trapped debris.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
Why does the water look funny after hydrant flushing?

When a hydrant is opened, there will always be temporary incidences of discolored water containing from sediment particles. There is no health hazard associated with discolored water. Allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate. To verify the water has settled, allow your cold water tap to run a few minutes. If the discoloration persists for more than twenty-four (24) hours, please contact the Hebron Water Department at (219) 996-4641.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
What is the silt in the water system after flushing?

Water contains minerals and these minerals react with the inside of the pipe to produce the by-product.  This chemical reaction between the pipe and water is a normal and natural process. This process can occur on the inside of the pipe and prevent an adequate volume of water flow. The flushing process removes much of this by-product which is why it is done annually.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
What will happen if fire hydrants are turned on or off too quickly?

This will cause “water hammer”, which is a pressure surge or wave when water in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly. The pressure wave can cause major problems, from noise and vibrations to pipe collapse. In home plumbing, this is experienced as a loud bang resembling a hammering noise. Fire Department Employees have received instruction by the Hebron Water Department on how to operate fire hydrant valves slowly to avoid water hammer.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
Is it okay to do laundry when hydrants are flushed?

If you see a crew flushing a hydrant on your street, avoid running tap water and using the washing machine or the dishwasher until the flushing is done. you may want to keep bottled water on hand for use during times when flushing will occur. If you see hydrant flushing crews working in the area, please drive carefully and treat them like any other road construction crew.

If you notice rust or iron stains on clothes when taking them from the washer, don't dry them in the dryer before treating the stains. Heat sets the stains and makes them difficult or impossible to remove. Here are some things to try: 1) rewash the clothes immediately in clear water with a heavy duty detergent. If the water in your water system is still discolored, do re-laundering at a coin-operated laundry or at another residence where the water is clear.

Caution: Do not dry stained items in a dryer, do not iron them before treating the stains, and do not use chlorine bleach. Heat and chlorine bleach make the problem worse.
If the stain is not removed by the first method, try a more drastic treatment.

2) Launder with a commercial rust remover (such as RoVer®, Rit Rust Remover®, Iron-Out®, Miracle-Rid-Iron®, or Whink®). The important ingredient in these compounds is an acid-usually oxalic or hydrofluoric acid. The remover ingredients combine with the iron and loosen it from the fabric, then hold it in suspension in the wash water. The compounds are poisonous if ingested. Use them carefully according to the manufacturers' directions, and rinse the clothes thoroughly. Acid remaining deteriorates fabrics.
Commercial rust removers are intended for use only on white or colorfast fabrics. Test colored clothes for colorfastness before attempting to remove rust stains with commercial removers. Caution/Danger: Commercial Rust Remover Products contain oxalic or hydrofluoric acids or other chemicals which can cause skin or eye irritation, burns, or poisoning. Use with care and according to the product package.

Category: Hydrant Flushing
  • Printer-friendly version