West side phase of M.L. flushing program starts June 25

Meadow Lakers on the city’s west side will have to watch their water next week.

The City of Meadow Lake is removing sediment from the water mains and fire hydrants in the city, and the unidirectional flushing is being completed by a company contracted by the city.

“It overall improves the colour and water flow quality,” City Clerk Jessica Walters told meadowlakeNOW in an interview earlier this month. “You close specific valves to get all the water flowing one way. It is higher pressure, so it does a better job and it’s also more efficient as it uses less water.”

Streets west of Centre St. will start to be flushed Monday, June 25, and the activity should wrap up Friday, June 29. There will be daily updates, schedules, and maps on the city’s website and social media pages.

Walters said there are ways citizens can be more water conscious during the flushing.

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“Because we’re cleaning all this debris out of the water lines, it loosens it up off the sides,” Walters said. “We’re advising people if they’re in the area on the map for the day, be aware that at some point flushing will be done. If you have to run water, we recommend opening a cold water tap first to see what it is doing so the debris doesn’t go in hot water tanks.”

Residents should do laundry and shower before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. each day to avoid any staining issues, Walters added.

The east side was mostly completed in early June. During the June 11 council meeting, City Manager Diana Burton said King St. and Woodman Ave. are still left. She said during the maintenance, crews discovered there was a need for more valve work on some of the streets in the east. She said because of the extensive work done on the west side in recent years, the work in the area should be completed on time.

“The unidirectional flushing pulled far higher levels of sediment than our standard flushing has in the past,” Burton said. “It shows some of the impact that higher pressure process can have.”

Most of the public feedback about the flushing program had to do with being notified of the scheduling. While the schedule was posted online and advertised locally, Burton said the city is considering purchasing ‘Flushing in Progress’ signs for future years.

Walters said if any residents experience discoloration or water pressure issues after flushing wraps up, they should contact city hall immediately.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath