The City of Wrenford is beginning its annual fire hydrant flushing program on Monday, August 24, starting in the south end of the city. Over the next few weeks, crews will flush hydrants in neighbourhoods across wards 4 and 5 to remove mineral buildup and improve water quality and pressure throughout the distribution system.
Flushing will take place between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Crews will be working through Ambrel Lake, Southview, Orchard Park, Ashgrove, Eastfield, Tamarack, Industrial Park East, Meadowlark, Stonebridge, and Wildrye. If your street is in the flushing zone, you may notice discoloured or cloudy water for up to 20 minutes while the crew works on the line near your home. This turbidity is harmless and will clear on its own.
Residents should avoid running their washing machines or dishwashers while flushing is happening on their street. If you notice a temporary drop in water pressure, do not worry—water will continue to flow. The water remains safe to drink. If discoloured water does enter your home, wait for it to clear and then run the cold water tap in your bathroom or basement until it runs clear. You can also place a white plate or cup in front of the tap to check for sediment.
“Flushing is a vital part of keeping our water system healthy and ensuring firefighters have reliable pressure when they need it,” said Patrick Nguyen, Water Operations Manager. “We know cloudy water can look alarming, but it is completely safe and will clear quickly. We appreciate residents’ patience as we work through the south end.”
Flushing in other areas of the city will be scheduled later this fall. You can sign up for emergency notifications and route updates by visiting the water flushing alerts page. For more information about how we maintain your drinking water, visit the Water & Wastewater section.