The City of Wrenford will begin its annual fire hydrant flushing program on Monday, September 22. Crews will work through the south end of the city, including the Ambrel Lake, Southview, Orchard Park, and Wildrye neighbourhoods, over the next several weeks.
During flushing, water may look cloudy or slightly brown when you run your taps. This happens when harmless minerals in the pipes get stirred up by the fast-moving water. The water is safe to drink, but you may want to wait until it runs completely clear before using it for laundry or preparing baby formula. You might also notice a temporary drop in water pressure. This is normal and will return to normal once the crew moves on to the next street.
To help clear your home pipes, run the cold water tap for five to ten minutes after the crew finishes flushing the hydrant near your house. Do not use hot water during this time, as the sediment can enter your water heater. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, wait until the water runs clear before draining it.
"We will do our best to notify residents on affected streets before crews arrive, but flushing schedules can shift slightly depending on weather and traffic," said Patrick Nguyen, Water Operations Manager. "If you experience a low water pressure that does not go away after an hour, please call us."
The flushing program runs between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Crews will mark each hydrant with paint once it is flushed. The City will post daily updates on the flushing schedule and any service interruptions on the Service Alerts page.
If you have questions about the water quality or need help understanding your water bill, visit the Water & Wastewater section of our website or call 519-555-0100.