Fall 2023 Fire Hydrant Flushing Schedule
For a street by street schedule click here
For an alphabetical list by date click here
The North Reading Water Department, as part of the maintenance of the water distribution system, began the annual fire hydrant flushing program on September 18, 2023, and this program will continue until October 25, 2023.
Hydrant flushing is used to remove any fine iron or manganese sediment from the water mains in the streets. Iron and manganese are naturally occurring minerals found in the soils near the Town’s water supply. As precipitation passes down through these soils, iron and manganese dissolve into the water. While the Water is treated to specifically to remove iron and manganese, trace amounts of these minerals remain in the water leaving the water treatment plant. This remaining dissolved iron and manganese combine with oxygen in the water to form fine particles that settle out of the water in the water distribution system.
Iron and manganese do not present health risks, but can cause a number of aesthetic problems, such as discolored water and staining of plumbing fixtures or laundry. The fine particles of iron and manganese in the water mains can easily become re-suspended whenever there is a change in flow in the water system, such as during a fire or other periods of high water usage. By creating the high flow conditions through hydrant flushing, the Water Department attempts to remove the color-causing particles in a systematic manner.
The flushing program begins in the area of the water supply sources and moves progressively across the town, using areas that have already been cleaned to provide the water to areas yet to be flushed.
Flushing will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, typically between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Residents and business owners are cautioned that they may experience discolored water during the hours of flushing in their area.
For additional information on the flushing program and the schedule click here or contact the Department of Public Works at (978) 357-5260.