Month-Long Hydrant Flushing Project Begins Around Geneva

GENEVA, IL — The month-long process of flushing fire hydrants as part of a maintenance project around the city began on Monday and will continue in seven-hour increments on weekdays for the next four weeks.

Hydrant flushing will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, officials said. Although water is safe to drink, local residents may notice some levels of discoloration in their water. If residents notice discoloration, they should allow the faucet to run for a few minutes, officials said in a news release.

The flushing of hydrants improves the overall quality of water, officials said, and cleaning the water mains of rust and corrosion is done to endure that hydrants are working properly.

Officials are urging residents to limit water use if possible and to refrain from washing clothes during the time when the hydrant flushing is taking place to avoid the staining of clothing due to rusty water. If staining takes place in clothing, residents should keep their laundry wet and purchase a rust-removing solution packet from a local retailer.

Signs will be posted in neighborhoods to remind residents that the hydrant flushing will be taking place. A map of where the hydrant work is being done can be viewed on the city’s website or on Twitter. Work is expected to be complete by mid-October.

For more information, contact James Childress, Geneva public works system maintenance and customer service supervisor at (630) 232-1551 or by email.