May 26, 2020
The City of South Bend will begin flushing fire hydrants this week as part of routine maintenance on the water distribution system. This annual program is standard practice in the water industry and will be conducted through October. Flushing verifies proper operation of the hydrants in case of fire, prevents water stagnation and helps prevent recurring discolored water events.
During flushing, residents should know:
– Tap water may temporarily appear red, brown or blackish in color. If this happens, run three cold-water faucets at full stream until the water runs clear again.
– Check clothes washers and icemakers before using for any sediment.
– If faucets seem clogged or running slowly, remove screens and rinse out.
– Water pressure may fluctuate. If it does, this is only temporary and regular water pressure will resume once the flushing period is complete.
Due to the number of hydrants and the size of South Bend’s water distribution, not all fire hydrants are flushed every year; however, fire hydrants at the end of water mains are flushed annually.
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