The city’s Water Division will begin the annual hydrant flushing program on Monday night, May 29, finishing around the week of July 4.
Crews will flush fire hydrants Sunday through Thursday, during the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The overnight schedule is used to minimize the inconvenience to our customers, and to allow the water to stabilize in the water mains before the normal daily water demand begins.
Flushing fire hydrants and water mains provides several benefits to our system’s water users. Regular flushing allows for delivery of the highest quality of water, as well as for staff to verify hydrants are operating properly and identify any needs for repair or maintenance. It also ensures the hydrants are ready, should the Fire Department need them.
The flushing process often results in cloudy or discolored water. Crews do what they can to limit this, and the safety of the water is not diminished by this process.
A schedule and map of our planned flushing program is on our website, battlecreekmi.gov. Check out the City Spotlight section at the bottom of the home page. Water and Public Works Records staff will update the schedule regularly, posting maps of daily work.
While the flushing crew is in your area, please be observant of your water quality while doing laundry, or other tasks that require rust-free water. Discolored or rusty water may be present in the area being flushed, as well as in adjacent areas. If you should encounter discolored water, we recommend that you run water at cold taps within your home or business.