Annual Water Line Free Chlorine Flushing: May 24 – July 9, 2023
To maintain high water quality in the City’s water distribution system and
Saline County RWD #3, the Utilities Department will temporarily modify
the disinfection process used to treat our drinking water. This is a
preventative maintenance process and consists of turning off the ammonia
feed and increasing the free chlorine feed in order to maintain a more
uniform disinfection level throughout the City’s water distribution system
and Saline County RWD #3.
Customers may notice a strong chlorine taste or odor of chlorine in their
tap water during this period. These temporary conditions are normal
during the modified disinfection process and will not cause adverse health
effects. If you are especially sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine, keep
an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator for a few hours to
allow the chlorine to dissipate. Users of home dialysis machines, owners
of tropical fish and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and
shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice as the
method for removing free chlorine residuals differs from removing
chloramine residuals from tap water.
To minimize customer disruptions, the City will be completing the annual
fire hydrant flushing during this time. A temporary variation in tap water
color, as well as possible sediment may occur. Running water at the tap for
one or two minutes should help clear this temporary occurrence.
Avoid doing laundry if the water is discolored.
Annual Fire Hydrant Flushing: May 30 – July 3, 2023
The annual flushing of fire hydrants is an important preventative
maintenance activity which is necessary to maintain the integrity of the
water distribution system and to ensure the delivery of high quality water
to our customers. Flushing the water distribution system achieves three
objectives: helps to keep the interior of the water lines clean (removes
sediment); helps maintain good quality water in the water distribution
system; and provides an opportunity to check the operation of all fire
hydrants. The water is safe to drink but may cause staining of laundry.
See fire hydrant flushing schedule below.
If you have any questions concerning these flushing activities, please call a
Utilities Department representative at 785-826-7305.
