Municipalities flush hydrants, water mains, during annual spring maintenance
By Brandi Makuski
It’s one of the many springtime tasks undertaken by municipal agencies every year, and it’s going on through mid-May.
The task of flushing hydrants is already completed in Whiting, according to public utilities supervisor Jacob Wilcox. The village has about 160 hydrants, it only flushes dead end hydrants in the spring — those located at the end of a water main or a section of pipe where there is no continuous flow of water — but it flushes all hydrants each October.
In Plover, flushing the 1,040 fire hydrants across the village is currently underway. Plover’s public works employees maintain 95 miles of water mains, two water storage facilities, and three wells.
The village serves over 4,000 customers and has the capacity to store 1.5 million gallons of water, according to its website.
Municipalities flush their hydrants for several reasons, according to Joel Lemke, public utilities director for Stevens Point:
- Water quality maintenance: Flushing helps maintain the quality of water in the distribution system by removing sediment, rust, and other debris that may accumulate in the pipes over time. This helps prevent discoloration and ensures that the water is safe to drink.
- Maintaining water pressure: Flushing hydrants can help maintain optimal water pressure in the distribution system by removing air pockets and ensuring that water flows smoothly through the pipes.
- Identifying and flushing stagnant water: Flushing can help remove stagnant water from the system, which can occur in dead-end pipes or low-flow areas. Stagnant water can lead to bacterial growth and water quality issues.
- Testing hydrant functionality: Flushing hydrants allows cities to test the functionality of the hydrants and ensure that they are in proper working condition in case of emergencies.
- Fire protection: Regular flushing helps maintain the reliability of fire hydrants, ensuring that they are ready for use in case of fire emergencies.
In Stevens Point, flushing the 1,300 hydrants will take place May 6-10, occurring overnight between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The city’s water distribution system contains more than 140 miles of water main; most of it is cast iron and six inches or larger in diameter. Lemke’s department manages and treats around 2.5 billion gallons of water annually, according to the city’s website.
Residents may experience discolored water during these times, but it’s typically harmless. City water customers may experience low water pressure at night and discolored or dirty water throughout
the week, but if they find dirty water or low water pressure during the day, they should contact Lemke’s office at 715-345-5260.
