Hydrant Flushing
The Urbandale Water Utility will begin its annual fire hydrant flushing program on Monday, March 10th. The first areas to be flushed will be on both the east and west portions of the city. Flushing will take place from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and is anticipated to be completed in one week.
Benefits
The goal of this annual program is to provide residents with the safest and highest water quality. Flushing serves the following purposes:
Dislodges and removes mineral deposits and sediments from the water mains.
Lubricates internal parts of hydrants
Verifies the proper operation of fire hydrants and valves.
Helps identify weaknesses in the water system.
Checks for closed valves and weak flows in the water system.
Awareness
The Urbandale Water utility urges residents to use caution when traveling near flushing crews as water may accumulate in these areas. Water service may be disrupted during the flushing process. Water in the vicinity of these activities may appear discolored as sediment is flushed from the system.
Discolored Water
If a resident notices discoloration in their water, the resident should run the cold water tap for a few minutes to verify the clarity and avoid using hot water for things like dishwashing or laundry if water is discolored. If discoloration is apparent, residents should flush their household system by opening several cold-water taps at once until the water is clear. If the resident has access to utilize faucets without screens or strainers such as most typically bath tub style faucets should be utilized first. Outdoor watering or using exterior hoses can also flush customer piping while still using water efficiently. The water is safe to drink but may be aesthetically displeasing.