City crews are scheduled to flush watermains starting Sunday, May 5, weather permitting. Flushing hours will be at night, mainly from 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. and should be complete by Friday morning, May 10.

Watermain flushing is done each spring to loosen normal mineral buildup inside underground watermains. Crews flush the watermains by opening fire hydrants, so don’t be alarmed if you see water gushing from hydrants while a city truck is nearby. The flushing process will take five days to complete citywide. Any one neighborhood or area won’t be affected for the entire week. Residents can check to see if watermains have been flushed in their neighborhood by viewing the hydrant flushing map.

While water has improved color and taste after watermain flushing, the process can temporarily discolor water due to loose particles. During this period, avoid doing laundry without first checking to see if your water is rust colored. Check water by running the tap. If it’s rust colored, don’t run your washing machine until you’ve cleared the water. To clear your water, run the cold water tap in your laundry tub until it clears. If your laundry is stained by the water during this time, keep the laundered items wet and call public works at 952.924.2562. Staff will deliver a chemical that will remove the stains.