South Orange Starts Hydrant Flushing

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - Residents are being asked for patience as the South Orange Village Water Utility flushes fire hydrants beginning Thursday, Sept. 20. Each year the company flushes and inspects the hydrants and officials say the process is an essential part of the system maintenance program.

To cleanse the system, they systematically open the fire hydrants to increase water flows – allowing them to “flush” any minerals and deposits from the pipes. While flushing the system won’t interrupt water service, when crews are working in the area, there may be a temporary drop in water pressure or discolored water.

According to officials this is a normal part of the process and residents are asked if this happens, simply let the water run until it is clear.

Residents are cautioned to avoid running your tap water and using the washing machine or dishwasher while crews are flushing in the area.

If discolored water occurs, simply run the cold water for a few minutes until it clear. This will allow the sediment to work its way through your pipes.

Check for discolored water before using the washing machine or dishwasher. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap before doing laundry or running the dishwasher. If laundry becomes stained, rewash clothes immediately using detergent and add a rust remover. Most rust removers can also be used on stained fixtures.

In some cases, slight discoloration might linger for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water and does not affect water quality. No health hazards are associated with discolored water from hydrant flushing.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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