Fire Hydrant Flushing
April/20/2010
It serves the following purposes:
- Flushes sediments from mainline pipes (which enhances water quality)
- Verifies the proper operation of fire hydrants and valves
- Helps find weaknesses in the water system
- Checks for closed valves and weak flows in the water mains
- Verifies ample flow for fire fighting
Public Works crews will post notices on barricades at intersections to inform residents of flushing in their neighborhoods.
Things to Know During Hydrant Flushing
- There may be a temporary drop in water pressure at this time.
- Water may be rusty or cloudy. Discolored water is not harmful and will clear up in a few hours.
- Fill a bottle with water and store it in the refrigerator to use for drinking or cooking.
- Flush your hot water tanks after the cold water clears.
- Do not wash white laundry during this period (wait until cold AND hot water are clear before laundering whites).
Hydrant Flushing Frequently Asked Questions
WHY IS HYDRANT FLUSHING NECESSARY?
Hydrant flushing enhances water quality by flushing sediment from the water mains, verifies the proper operation of hydrants and valves, and maintains firefighting capability.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN THE CITY CREWS ARE FLUSHING HYDRANTS IN MY AREA?
If you see a crew flushing a hydrant on your street, avoid running tap water and using the washing machine or the dishwasher until the flushing is completed. If you see hydrant-flushing crews working in the area, please drive carefully and treat them like any other road construction crew.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER HYDRANT FLUSHING?
- If tap water is used during flushing, it could come out full of sediment that causes discoloration. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If the water is clear it’s OK to use. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again. In some cases, there may be slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.
- Avoid washing laundry during scheduled flushing times. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first. Hot water tanks can hold discolored water for some time after the cold water runs clear.
- If pressure or volume seems low, check your faucet screens for trapped particles.
WHY DOES MY WATER LOOK FUNNY AFTER HYDRANT FLUSHING?
When a hydrant is opened, there will be temporary incidences of discolored water while fine sediment particles are flushed out. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored water. Allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate. To verify water is clear, run your cold-water tap for a few minutes.
WHO DO I CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For additional information you can contact your local water department or you can contact us with any questions.
Have any further questions or comments on fire hydrant flushing? Leave them below in the comments.
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Water customers in Cleveland could see another rate increase next year
April/09/2010
Customers of the Cleveland Division of Water may see another rate increase next year. How much is yet to be determined.
A rate study is in progress, and the division could approach council with a request for a hike around the end of the year, officials said at a council committee meeting this week.
Customers are in the last year of an increase instituted in 2007 that pushed rates up almost 80 percent for city residents and 45 percent for suburban customers over four years. Council sets the rates for the city-run water division that serves 1.4 million people.
Water Commissioner Chris Nielson said revenues were $25 million below projections last year due to a decrease in consumption and a drop in interest earnings and fees. The cool, wet summer contributed to the drop in water use, he added.
The revenue decrease, overall maintenance and a proposed $86 million automatic meter reading system the division wants to buy will be factored into the cost analysis, division spokesman John Goersmeyer said.
The search for additional revenue comes not long after the division was barraged by customer complaints due to estimated bills, bad meters, long waits on the phone and rude customer service. The Plain Dealer chronicled the division's troubles throughout much of last year.
Residents continue to be critical of the department. Director of Utilities Barry Withers said steps are being taken to improve customer service, including extended calling hours and putting a new computer billing system online.
Nielson said the proposed automatic meter reading system is key to solving most of the remaining problems. "All of our customer service revolves around a good meter reading," he said.
Council, which put the brakes on the purchase last month, is now ready to move forward. Members wanted to investigate whether the radio-driven remote reading system could be used for other city needs such as safety-force communications and traffic cameras.
Councilman Kevin Kelley, chairman of council's Public Utilities Committee, said at the meeting this week that he concluded "meshing systems would be cost prohibitive" since the division's system extends into five counties, including all of Cuyahoga.
In the next several weeks, council is expected to approve legislation to allow the purchase. Nielson said the costs include $3.2 million for design and management; $17.8 million for meters; $42 million for technology; $23 million for installation.
The water division will pay for the network with $8.5 million of previously encumbered money; $12 million from 2009 operating capital; $15.5 million from future operating capital; and $50 million from bonds.
Nielson said the system will eliminate estimated bills. Radio devices strategically installed on places like buildings and utility poles will allow employees downtown to read meters remotely at any time. This could clear the way for monthly billing, he said. The division now bills quarterly. Consumption eventually could be broken down to daily and even hourly use, allowing for detection of leaks or water theft, Nielson said.
The division would save on the cost of vehicles and fuel when the system is fully functional in three years, he said. Installation would begin this fall. The first year, 10 percent of residential meters will be replaced along with 40 percent of the commercial meters.
Nielson said meter readers would reassigned to inspection, maintenance, leak detection and customer service crews as the system is phased in.
See the full article: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/04/water_customers_could_see_anot.html
As a customer of the Cleveland Division of Water, there are a few actions that can be taken to help combat the increase in the rates:
- Check for water leaks or running toilets. Water leaks can add up on your monthly bills, so make sure to periodically check your home or office for leaks.
- Invest in low-flow plumbing fixtures. Items such as low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators can help reduce your water consumption and your water bill. Contact Neptune Plumbing to learn more about having these items installed.
How do you feel about these rate increases? Do you have any tips to help lower your water consumption? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.