Water main flushing is a type of preventive maintenance that any public water system should perform. Flushing removes accumulated mineral deposits from the pipe interiors, brings fresh treated water to low-use areas, and allows the system operators to evaluate system valves and blow-off pipes.
We have provided a link below explaining in detail the flushing process, courtesy of Tata & Howard, a New England-based environmental engineering and consulting firm. While hydrant flushing does not pertain to the VDE specifically, the information on why water systems flush main lines is applicable. This info also provides some tips for what to do during the flushing program.
Flushing occurs between 9PM and 1AM. During this time, please refrain from running loads of laundry and other unnecessary water use. Additionally, slight water discoloration after water main flushing is normal. Water main flushing does not clear individual service lines. If you experience this after your area’s water main is flushed, please run water from a cold-water tap in your home to help clear your service line. We recommend holding off on white/light laundry loads until your service line is clear.
MONDAY, 10/5
Flushing Points: Windingwood Road, Glenwood Road, Crestbrook Drive, Brookridge Drive, Sunnyside Drive
Affected Areas: SPRINGBROOK SPECIAL PLACE, including Windingwood Road, Glenwood Road, Spring Glen, Brookridge Drive, Crestbrook Drive, Moose Run, Sunnyside Drive, and Buck Common
TUESDAY, 10/6
Flushing Points: Whitetail Ridge, Spring Valley Drive, Fox Run
Affected Areas: DEER RUN SPECIAL PLACE, including Whitetail Ridge, Spring Valley Drive, Fox Run, Bonnie Brae, Wildwood Drive, Catamount Drive, and Buck Common
WEDNESDAY, 10/7
Flushing Points: Whippoorwill Walk, Turnbuckle, Trillium Lane
Affected Areas: EAST COVE, including Whippoorwill Walk, Turnbuckle, Trillium Lane, Mourning Dove Way, Winter Hill, and Sylvan Walk; EAST LAKE, including Pleasant Drive, Black Duck Spur, and Pintail Knob, and Highwood Way and Bright Slope Way
MONDAY, 10/12
Flushing Points: Highwood Way, Bright Slope Way, Morning Hollow
Affected Areas: BRIGHT SLOPES SPECIAL PLACE, including Highwood Way, Bright Slope Way, Morning Hollow, Sugar Hill Road, Catamount Drive
TUESDAY, 10/13
Flushing Points: Lark Place, Hidden Way, Granite Way
Affected Areas: NORTH COVE SPECIAL PLACE, including Lark Place, Hidden Way, Granite Way, Loon Drive, Cherry Lane, Hickory Lane
WEDNESDAY, 10/14
Flushing Points: Shore Road, Finch Place, Beaver Fells
Affected Areas: WEST SHORE SPECIAL PLACE, including Shore Road, Finch Place, Beaver Fells, Hilltop Place
MONDAY, 10/19
Flushing Points: Otter Road, Island View, Bay Tree Lane
Affected Areas: WEST COVE SPECIAL PLACE – West Cove A, West Cove B, West Cove C, West Cove D
TUESDAY, 10/20
Flushing Points: Butternut Road, Mill Pond Lane, Robin Lane
Affected Areas: WEST COVE SPECIAL PLACE, including Butternut Road, Mill Pond Lane, Robin Lane, Old Spring Drive, Otter Road, Marten Lane, Marmot Lane, Cove Drive
WEDNESDAY, 10/21
Flushing Points: Pioneer Point, Niblick Lane, Lake View
Affected Areas: SOUTH SHORE SPECIAL PLACE, including Pioneer Point, Niblick Lane, Lake View, Alpine Vista
MONDAY, 10/26
Flushing Points: Troon Drive, Putter Place, Wedgewood Drive
Affected Areas: GREENSWARD SPECIAL PLACE, including Troon Drive, Bunker Drive, Wedgewood Drive, Pinehurst, Walton Heath, Bogie Place, Fairway Drive, Longwood Drive, Putter Place, Eagle Drive, Greensward Drive, Clubhouse Lane
TUESDAY, 10/27:
Flushing Point: Allen’s Drive
Affected Areas: SNOW HILL SPECIAL PLACE, including Allen’s Drive, Dartmouth Place, Summit Drive, Slalom Drive, Double Diamond Drive
WEDNESDAY, 10/28:
Flushing Points: Fernwood Lane, Bobbin Lane
Affected Areas: BURPEE HILL SPECIAL PLACE, including Fernwood Lane, Draper Mill Road, Oak Lane, Chickadee Lane, Ivy Circle, Turner Brae, Azure Brae, Birch Brae, Sandy Brae, Summit Drive, Slalom Drive, Double Diamond Drive
THURSDAY, 10/29:
Flushing Points: Anderson Pond Road, High Pond Road, Rolling Hill
Affected Areas: ANDERSON POND SPECIAL PLACE, including Anderson Pond Road, Knob Hill, Forest Lane, Ash Lane, High Pond Road, Rolling Hill, Auburn Brae
System water main flushing helps maintain water quality through the distribution system and is a necessary part of regular water system operation. VDE’s flushing program uses specific flushing points in the distribution system to be effective and efficient with flushing, while minimizing customer impact.
Water main flushing moves water out of the water mains, not individual service lines. Should residents experience any water discoloration after the flushing, VDE recommends running a cold-water tap until the water runs clear, prior to laundry and dishwashing use.