Fire hydrant flushing helps ensure the highest quality water possible

SPRINGFIELD, Ore., – September 16, 2011 –Springfield Utility Board is set to begin their annual hydrant work to help enhance SUB’s water quality. The hydrant flushing program is a very important part of SUB’s water systems health, and is an integral part of the utility’s efforts to deliver the safest and highest quality water possible.

“Hydrant flushing is a very necessary program we undertake annually,” said Dave Embleton, SUB’s Water Quality Program Manager. “It enhances water quality by flushing sediment out of our underground pipes. Flushing also confirms the operation of hydrants and valves, and helps identify areas of low flow so that we can work to resolve those flow issues in the future.”

SUB has more than 267 miles of pipeline, more than 1,450 valves, and just under 1,370 fire hydrants. “It takes quite a bit of time to flush our entire water service infrastructure,” noted Embleton. “That’s why we break the task into three regions, flushing out one area each year.” This year SUB is flushing out the Western area, which is everything Crews will be working in the area bounded by South of Oregon Route 126 and West of 28th Street. The fire hydrant flushing program will start Monday, September 19, and will go untii mid-October.

Below are tips for customers where hydrant flushing is occurring.

• Customers should avoid running their tap water, and using their washing machine or dishwasher if they see a crew flushing a hydrant on their street. If tap water is used during the flushing process, the water may have sediment that causes discoloration.
• If customers notice discolored water, simply shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes, allowing it to work its way through your pipes. If it is clear, it is OK to use.
• In some cases there might be slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water, and does not affect water quality. There is no health hazard associated with discolored water from hydrant flushing.
• Avoid washing laundry when crews are flushing hydrants in the immediate area. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first.
• If water pressure or volume seems low, check the faucet screens for trapped particles.
• It generally takes between 15 minutes to an hour to flush each fire hydrant. In extreme circumstances it may take up to eight hours.
• Customers can check the SUB website at www.subutil.com, for exact hydrant flushing locations, which will change weekly.

“I understand that this can be an inconvenience for some customers,” said Embleton. “But hydrant flushing is a very important part of our water systems health, and by flushing our hydrants we can ensure that customers are getting the safest and highest quality water possible.”