Each spring, the City of Meridian Water Division conducts routine flushing of its 400 miles of water mains to clear out any naturally occurring sediment that may have accumulated over the winter months. Without irrigation needs, water consumption during these colder months drops dramatically and slows the flow of water through our City s underground piping system. This decrease in flow allows mineral deposits to accumulate in pipes and contribute to water color problems.
Flushing is required to remove this harmless sediment, which works by moving water through the pipes at a high velocity creating a scouring action. That water and sediment is then discharged through a nearby outlet such as a fire hydrant. Use of this flushing technique is a necessary practice vital to the health of our City s water system.
This year s flushing activities will take place between March 12th and April 13th.
During this flushing period, your tap water may temporarily appear a light red, brown, or blackish color and could clog small household water lines and filters. The water pressure inside your home may also fluctuate at times. This is only temporary and regular water pressure will resume once the flushing period is complete.
Here are a few tips to help clear your water lines:
- Simply run cold-water faucets in your bathtubs at full stream for a few minutes until the water runs clear again.
- To avoid any unwanted sediment build-up in your hot water heater, always clear your lines using cold-water taps.
- During this flushing time, check your clothes washers and icemakers for any sediment before using. When laundering clothes, wait until the water runs clear at the tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first.
- If your faucets seem to be clogged or running slowly, simply remove the screens and rinse out.
Did You Know?
It is recommended that you drain your hot water tank annually to help clear sediment.
*Remember to turn off power to your water heater to prevent damage to it; please check manufacturer instructions on how to do this properly.
An estimated flushing schedule, along with helpful tips for minimizing the potential impacts of discolored water, can be found online at: www.meridiancity.org/springflush/.
Questions / Comments? Please contact the Meridian Water Division at 888-5242.