Hydrant Flushing and Water Main Maintenance
How can I found out when hydrants will be flushed?
Hydrant flushing in the Village normally takes place the last consecutive
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of April and October between the hours
of 7:00 P.M. & 12:00 A.M. Further information regarding hydrant
flushing can be obtained by calling 585-968-1560
Why are hydrants flushed?
Periodically, you will see Department of Public Works personnel releasing
water from hydrants.. Hydrant flushing is necessary to test the hydrants
to make sure adequate flow and pressure is available and at the same
time, provide valve stem lubrication. Flushing is also done to remove
sediment from the valve seat area, and the pipes in order to maintain
water clarity and quality in the distribution pipes.
Is my water safe to drink after
flushing?
Your water is safe to drink. Occasionally, water becomes discolored
after hydrant flushing. If this happens, run your cold water tap for
a few minutes until the water clears. If it doesn't clear the first
time, wait a few minutes and run the water again. You should avoid washing
clothes until the water clears.
Common Water Quality Complaints
On average, the Village receives about 1/2 dozen drinking water quality
complaints each year. Our staff has been very diligent and successful
in meeting the Village's goal of quickly addressing concerns through
not only a comprehensive testing program but also by either initiating
or suggesting remedial action for complaint resolution.
A large percentage of the complaints received fall into
one of the following areas:
Rusty Water
As described in the previous section, fire hydrants are periodically
opened to flush water mains in the system. Additionally, Fire and Public
Works Department personnel routinely use hydrants to make assessments
as to whether adequate pressure and flow are available to satisfy normal
system demands as well as the increased demand required in the event
of a fire. These actions, as well as some construction activities, may
result in brief periods during which you may observe moderate discoloration
in your tap water.
Cloudy/Milky Water
In the late fall and winter months the water that enters your homes
can be quite cold. When this cold water enters your home plumbing, it
is exposed to significantly warmer temperatures. This causes dissolved
oxygen, that can reach and significantly higher levels in colder water
than in warmer water, to escape in the form of "micro-bubbles" that can give water a cloudy appearance. If a glass of this water is
allowed to sit for a short period of time the cloudy effect will dissipate.
White Particles in the Water
It has been determined that a number of hot water heaters manufactured
between 1993 and 1997 may have defective cold water supply dip-tubes.
These tubes are designed to direct the cold water entering the heaters
to the bottom, thereby forcing the previously heated water to the hot
water outlet near the top of the tank. The defective dip tubes have
been found to separate from the cold water inlet and, over time, disintegrate
into minute pieces resembling crumbled eggshells. This material can
readily clog sink aerators and showerheads but is said to be non-toxic.
Off-Taste
Over the years, numerous cases of off-taste complaints have been resolved
favorably when customers have been advised to disconnect out-door garden
hoses. Often these hoses, with nozzles attached, can be found in a collapsed
condition. It appears that in these cases, the rubber-like or plastic-tasting
water that had been in the hose could, under the right conditions, be
pulled back into homes by partial vacuum pressure.