Hydrant Flushing 2021
August 2, 3, and 4
Water Quality - The Importance of Flushing Water Lines
Residents noticing Slippery Rock Municipal Authority (the Authority) crews working at fire hydrants and seeing water running into the street may think that the Authority is ignoring its own philosophy of conserving water. The process of periodically "flushing" fire hydrants, however, is an important preventive maintenance activity. Although it may appear to waste water, this process is part of a routine maintenance program necessary to maintain the integrity of the water system and to continue to deliver the highest quality water possible to our customers.
The Authority maintains over twenty-nine (29) miles of domestic water lines throughout its service area and flushing the water system on a routine basis removes sediment from lines and keeps the entire distribution system refreshed.
During the flushing, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience reduced water pressure; and as a result of the flushing procedure, may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and precipitates 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 own home by running all water faucets for a minute or two.
This same philosophy of water line preventive maintenance is one that you should use in your own home. Your home's water heater should be drained and flushed at least once a year to keep it working efficiently and to protect the quality of water inside your home. Also, if you go out of town and there is no water use in your home for a week or more, when you return it's always a good idea to run all your faucets for a minute or so before using the water. This ensures that you don't use any stagnant water that may have developed in your home's pipes while you were away.
For more information:
Call: The Authority Office, 724-794-6552
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Water Main Flushing
