Fire Hydrant Flushing
Our goal is to flush all of the hydrants in one day to minimize rusty water complaints in the Village.
The Newburgh Heights Fire Department will do hydrant flushing on Tuesday June 12th.
On the day of hydrant flushing, NHFD will notify the Service Department, Village Hall and Cleveland Water.
We will post signs in the areas scheduled to be flushed the day before but we ask residents to keep in mind that because of weather, sometimes the posted flushing is delayed. If it is raining on Tuesday June 12th, we will then flush hydrants on Thursday June 14th.
Hydrants are flushed to clean water lines and to ensure hydrants are working properly. By discharging water through a fire hydrant, water flow within the pipeline is increased, thereby scouring the inside of the pipeline, removing and then transporting silt and mineral deposits out of the water system. In addition, this process provides the Fire Department with the opportunity to assess the general condition of the hydrant.
The main impact of hydrant flushing is discolored water caused by silt and mineral sediment dislodged through the process. Although the water may not be visually appealing, Cleveland Water Department advises us that it is safe to drink and continues to meet all federal and state drinking water standards.
Fire hydrant flushing on each street will take typically anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but discolored water may last up to 4 hours after completion. Residents in areas where hydrant flushing is taking place are advised to:
- Avoid using water, if possible. By not taking water from the tap or running appliances that use water (dishwashers and washing machines), residents can prevent discolored water from entering their household plumbing.
- Avoid doing laundry during flushing. Discolored water can sometimes stain fabrics. Wait until water runs clear at the tap before using a washing machine, and then wash a load of dark clothes first.
- Run cold water taps throughout your home (bathroom sinks and tubs, kitchen faucets, etc.) for 5 to 10 minutes after hydrant flushing, or until water clears. This allows discolored water to work its way out of your household plumbing.
- Clean faucet screens to remove silt and mineral sediment that could be obstructing water flow if water pressure or volume seems low after hydrant flushing.
