Hydrant flushing scheduled to start today

COLUMBUS -- City residents may notice discolored water and low water pressure as the Columbus Water Utility Department begins its fall hydrant flushing.

The hydrant flushing was scheduled to begin today and last up to three weeks.

Chuck Sliva, water utility supervisor, said a tentative flushing schedule is available, but it is dependent on the weather.

“Normally we start with everything south of 15th Street from 33rd Avenue to 12th Avenue,” Sliva said. “That area should take two days, Tuesday through Wednesday.”

The crews are expected to work on flushing hydrants north of that area to 23rd Street the following two days, he said.

“During the first week of flushing we want to get everything south of 23rd Street to Third Avenue,” he said. “During the second week of flushing and flow testing” crews are tentatively scheduled to work on everything north of U.S. Highway 30 will be done.

The third week was included in the schedule in case of any complications or delays, Sliva said.

He said the discolored water is still safe to use and requires no boiling before usage, he said, but he recommends running the cold tap to flush the system and clean out potential particles in the system and eventually it should clear up.

Some homes may experience the discoloration and low water pressure intermittently during the two or three weeks depending on where the home lies on the water grid.