The Westchester Fire Department will be conducting testing of fire hydrants in the Village. Fire hydrant testing is required for the Village's ISO (Insurance Service Office) score, which measures the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of Village.
What is hydrant flushing? Hydrant flushing is the quick release of water from fire hydrants used to maintain the quality of a city’s water system. Flushing is a controlled action to ensure proper water flow in hydrants for firefighters, residents, and businesses.
Water main flushing removes sediment and minerals which improves the color, odor, and taste of the problematic water. It improves the overall quality of the water. Testing is done once a year by The Westchester Fire Department members. As previously mentioned, hydrant flushing optimizes the water main to provide usable water for firefighting or water main breaks. Even during times of no firefighting activity, hydrant flushing clears away rusty or contaminated water in the water main. Also referred to as water main flushing, it is one of the most important practices to preserve public water systems.
Don’t be alarmed if you notice reduced water pressure and flow during a hydrant flushing. Hydrant flushing is an essential preventative maintenance strategy to remove minerals and sediment from pipes and the water main. Water operators can correctly identify broken or inoperable valves to assure they work to the maximum potential. Firefighters rely on hydrants to assess flow rate and water pressure to maximize their utility in fire-ground operations. Hydrant flushing maintains high-quality water for safe use in local communities.
Over time, water settles and microorganisms can grow on the inside of piping. Mineral concentration can affect the taste and quality of the water. Flushing also removes water from areas of low use or that no longer have the desired chlorine residual. Hydrant flushing may also leave your water discolored or altered. As part of everything you need to know about hydrant flushing, water discoloration is one of the most common consequences. You may have a lot of questions if your water appears rusty or tea colored. Mainly: is it safe to drink? Hydrant flushing can temporarily alter the color of your water. This is due to iron and other minerals in the water main.
Due to conventional and unidirectional flushing, the minerals in water mains stir up as they’re flushed out. There’s little concern over this discoloration, as it’s usually safe to drink. However, rust-colored water may stain clothes and dishes. If you live outside the boundaries of where hydrant flushing is performed and you notice discolored water, that’s okay. Occasionally, residents live beyond the limits of where hydrant flushing occurs because the opening of a hydrant can cause water to run in the opposite direction than normal. Also, open pipes are a gateway for discolored water. It’s possible if you or a neighbor doesn’t use any water to not experience any discoloration