TUD’s Annual Flushing Program Under Way
Sonora, CA — Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) advises the public not to be alarmed if they see water shooting out of hydrants, the ends of water mains, or running down the street or sidewalk over the next several months.
The district’s annual water line flushing program has begun throughout Tuolumne County. The work, called “blowoffs,” is a routine preventative maintenance procedure. Flushing is being done from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at various locations throughout the county and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes on each street. Regarding concerns about the practice being a waste of water, TUD counters that it is “necessary to maintain a safe and reliable drinking water supply.”
Customers may see a slight drop in pressure or noticeable water discoloration. However, TUD says, “If you experience little to no water pressure during flushing, you should contact TUD.” They added, “Crews aim to direct the water being flushed into appropriate areas to avoid sediment erosion or localized water pooling, but you may notice water on the street or roadway.”
As a precaution, TUD asks customers who have discoloration to run cold water for a few minutes, up to 15 minutes, especially before using hot water to ensure the discolored water is not drawn into the hot water tank. The reason for flushing, according to district officials, is that loose sediment and other deposits can slowly build up inside water mains, causing discolored water. The flushing creates a scouring action to clean the line and increase the flow rate, which scrubs the inner walls of pipes and assists in removing the buildup of naturally occurring debris and sediment, like iron or manganese deposits. TUD notes that flushing at the appropriate velocities can remove these sediments and deposits and improve taste, odor, and color.
