Fire Hydrant Flush at University Park
Posted October 19, 2021
Facilities Management (FM) will flush fire hydrants in University Park on Thursday, October 21 at 9:30 a.m. Flushing the fire hydrants will involve our staff operating hydrants and valves and you may notice water in the street.
Although it may appear wasteful, this important preventative maintenance maintains the integrity of the water system and ensures quality water is available to our customers.
The primary purpose of this program is to verify proper operation of the university's fire hydrants through periodic inspections, flow testing, and preventative maintenance. A proactive hydrant flushing program also is key to mitigating water quality issues by removing accumulated iron and manganese mineral deposits from the water line.
Fire hydrant flushing may cause temporary inconveniences such as a reduction in water pressure and aesthetic issues such as water discoloration. Discolored water poses no health threat, but may stain laundry. Also, if consumed, the water may have an unpleasant taste. If you notice discolored water coming from your fixtures, please flush the cold-water side for approximately 5 minutes.
While you may experience some temporary inconveniences, this important preventive maintenance ensures hydrants are functioning properly and adequate water flow is available if the need for firefighting arises. Flushing also removes sediment, helping to maintain the high quality of water we provide.
