Why we flush water mains
Wrenford flushes its water mains every spring and fall. Flushing pushes fresh water through the pipes and clears out sediment that builds up over time. It also tests the water pressure and flow at each fire hydrant. This routine maintenance keeps your drinking water safe and makes sure fire hydrants work when you need them.
When flushing happens
Flushing takes place from April to June and again from September to October. Crews work through each neighbourhood on a set route. They usually flush a street within two weeks of starting in your area. You will not get a door-to-door notice, but you can sign up for text and email alerts at Sign up for emergency alerts. You can also follow Service Alerts on our website for route updates.
What to expect during flushing
When crews are working near your home, you might notice:
- Low water pressure for a few minutes
- Water that looks cloudy, brown, or yellow
- Water running from a fire hydrant on the street
If your water looks discoloured, do not use it for drinking or cooking. Turn on the coldest tap in your house and let it run until it runs clear. This usually takes five to ten minutes. Do not wash clothes or run the dishwasher while the water is still cloudy. If the water stays discoloured after an hour, call 311 or 519-555-0100.
When flushing stops service
Sometimes flushing requires the crew to shut off water to a small section of street for up to two hours. We will post these planned outages on Service Alerts the day before. If a main breaks or a valve sticks, the crew may need to shut off water longer. In those cases, we deploy water tankers and fill water jugs for affected homes. A boil water notice will stay in place until lab tests show the water is safe.
How to report a problem
If you see a hydrant that will not turn off, notice water running in the street for more than an hour, or have a persistent pressure issue, report it right away. Call 311 or 519-555-0100 during the day. After hours, call 519-555-0111. You can also report a water main break or report a water leak through our online tool.
For more information, see Online services portal beta.
Questions and answers
Does flushing affect my tap water quality?
Flushing moves sediment around in the pipes, which can temporarily change the taste, smell, or colour of your water. The water is always safe to drink. If you want to test your tap water, you can join the Tap Water Sampling Program, which runs from May to September.
Can I use a fire hydrant for my own work?
Private hydrant use and construction water connections require a permit under the Water and Wastewater By-law 2017-090. You must follow the Fire hydrant use permits and flow tests guidelines. Contact the Water Operations team at Water & Wastewater for details.
Who handles these requests?
All flushing schedules and hydrant permits are managed by the Water Operations team. You can reach our manager, Patrick Nguyen, at [email protected] or 519-555-0141.