DOVER — Dover residents shouldn’t be surprised if they happen to see not-so-clear water coming from spigots starting Sunday night.
It’s all part of the city’s regular flushing of the water distribution system, a process that has been done regularly for several years to help alleviate concerns regarding brown water.
Flushes are scheduled for 15 nights, broken into three weeks of five continuous nights, with crews working from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Sunday evening and ending Friday morning.
The process began Sunday and will end April 22.
“It’s something that we do every year,” said Jason Lyon, the city’s Water/Wastewater manager.
“System flushing is a common maintenance practice. It flushes out any sediment, so that it doesn’t build up.”
Mr. Lyon anticipates increased amounts of brown water within the system until the flushing operation is complete.
He said the city takes into account the calendar and performs the flushes in order to avoid major holidays.
“We do it twice a year,” Mr. Lyon said. “I know people don’t want to deal with having brown water, so this helps with that. We’re trying to help out any way that we can.”
Customers who experience discolored water should run cold water to clear their service lines.
It is recommended that one faucet be utilized to clear service lines, preferably an outside faucet.
Mr. Lyon stressed that customers should not use hot water when flushing their system because the sediment creating the discoloration will get into a hot water heater and stay there.
They also are advised to not do laundry during the process.
Mr. Lyon said people shouldn’t park across from, or within 15 feet of fire hydrants during the flushing period to ensure that all lines can be flushed.
If necessary, additional days may be added to the flushing schedule without additional public notice.
Anyone with questions should call Dover’s Department of Public Works at (302) 736-7060.