FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING
Have you ever been
driving around and noticed a City worker standing by a fire hydrant with water
gushing out of it? The workers you see flushing fire hydrants work for the
Phillipsburg Water Department, and they are trained in sound and proven water
system maintenance practices. Flushing fire hydrants are one of the most
important maintenance practices that can be performed on a water distribution
system.
When a worker fully opens a fire hydrant for the flushing process, the
following are checked and recorded:
Visible and audible leaks Proper
operation of valve
Flushing out corrosion & rust Water
pressure
Color of the water Flow
of gallons per minute
If ignored, corrosion and rust can cause problems such as: severe rusty water,
reduced water pressure or lower chlorine levels. Replacing water that has been
standing in the system with fresh water is especially important in dead end
main areas and low flow areas in the system. Flushing one fire hydrant may cost
between $30 - $50, which includes wages, water cost and equipment. The cost of
flushing fire hydrants is money well-invested. So, the next time you see a City
worker flushing a hydrant, you can rest assured that they are working hard to
protect the safety of the public, improve water quality and properly maintain
the water distribution system.
FIRE
HYDRANT FLOW TESTING
Flow testing of fire
hydrants is done to identify the amount of water a certain fire hydrant can
deliver during an emergency situation. This service is done on a continuing
basis so that problems can be identified and then eliminated. All hydrants will
be color coded so that Fire Department personnel can identify what gallons per
minute an individual fire hydrant can deliver.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why is the water
pressure low?
Your water pressure may be low as flushing may lower the water pressure in the
area being tested.
Why is my water
discolored?
Customers may
experience a temporary discoloration of water, which is due to the unsettling
of rust in the water main.
What should I do about the discolored water?
Run the cold water for about five minutes - this should clear up the water.
Is the water safe to
drink?
Yes. If the water would
be unsafe to drink for any reason, a boil alert will be issued.
If you would like further information about this topic, please feel free to
contact Tim Driggs, Public Works Supervisor at 785-543-5234.