Pelham to flush hydrants

Pelham will be flushing hydrants across Fenwick and Fonthill over the next few months to keep the drinking water systems clear of sediment and the quality high, the town said in a release.

The flushing will take place through spring and summer during weekday business hours. Residents are asked to use caution if they are in the area of a flushing hydrant.

The town said water entering the mains after treatment is of a very high quality but over time sediment builds up in the pipes, particularly with slow-moving water.

“Flushing gives our water operators an opportunity to see and feel how the distribution system is performing,” said public works director Andrea Clemencio. “We’re not just flushing water, we’re inspecting fire hydrants for condition and operation, we’re logging system pressure, observing flows and performing field tests to ensure the system is functioning properly and the water is safe to drink.

The town said without regular maintenance, water can slow down and customers could occasionally receive discoloured water, mostly due to surges in the flow, such as firefighting or a burst watermain.

Too much sediment can also affect taste, clarity and colour of water.

Letting taps run for a short period of time will eliminate discolouration, the town said, adding if residents experience dirty water, they should run cold water taps and garden hoses until the water runs clear. If problems of discolouration or sediment in the water after flushing occur, residents can call the public works department at 905892-2607 ext. 332.