(Nicole Reis/ meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

HYDRANT FLUSHING

Hydrant flushing underway in Meadow Lake

Jul 10, 2020 | 12:15 PM

The City of Meadow Lake will be conducting unidirectional fire hydrant flushing in various neighbourhoods and the process will likely create extremely coloured or debris-filled water.

The process is expected to end on July 21.

In an email, city manager Diana Burton told meadowlakeNOW the unidirectional flushing uses high velocity water to dislodge any mineral deposits and sediment that have accumulated in the water mains over time. The outcome will be improved overall quality and flow of the water through the city’s system.

“If a person opens their water tap at the same time that flushing is happening in their area, this sediment can be pulled into their water line causing the water to temporarily turn brown or rust colored,” she said. “This is remedied by running the cold water tap until the water turns clear.”

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The sediment flushed out of the lines is primarily iron and manganese build-up, as well as tuberculation (which is the development of small mounds of corrosion on the inside of pipes) and pipe shavings that may get into the mains when new service lines are tapped in.

Burton said the sediment isn’t hazardous, but no one wants to use or drink brown water, or have the sediment clogging up their hot water tanks.

Iron sediment found in flushed water lines. (Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

“This is why we try to have accurate alerts issued about where the work is being done, so people can avoid using water during flushing,” she said. “Outside of the active flushing area, there shouldn’t be any impact to peoples’ water.”

Unidirectional flushing is a once a year project that lasts nearly two weeks. The city works on a different section of town each year, then starts over.

A worker at the site explained over 4,200 liters of water is flushed during the process or 70 liters per second. A metal plate is placed under the flushing pipe to prevent asphalt from lifting as a result of water pressure. Crews noted the water mains in Meadow Lake are “in good shape.”

If you see crews flushing a hydrant in your area, avoid running tap water, using the washing machine or the dishwasher until the flushing is complete. If you see hydrant flushing crews working in your area, drive carefully.

The city will notify residents of which neighbourhoods will be affected through its VoyentAlert! app which can be downloaded here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722