The program occurs between May and October. There will also be some additional flushing done in new subdivisions or areas with quality problems.
Water Main Flushing
Water main flushing is part of The City's annual preventative maintenance program.
Each year, City water mains are flushed to remove built up sediment and scale. This process, called unidirectional flushing (UDF), is part of regular preventative maintenance for our drinking water distribution system. City crews close valves to isolate specific areas of each main and flush the water through fire hydrants. The water is then drained into city streets and flows into storm drains. Flushing typically runs from May to October.
The main objectives of the UDF program are:
- Improve water quality
- Remove turbidity and biofilm from the walls of the pipes
- Inventory water valves and hydrants that require maintenance or replacement
- Introduce fresh water into areas where water may sit stagnant. Ex. Dead end mains
- Compare data to help establish frequency of which subdivisions should be flushed
What to know when we are flushing your neighbourhood
- Your water will not be turned off, and you'll continue to received uninterrupted water service to your home.
- You may have temporarily cloudy water or low water pressure while water mains near you are being flushed.
- Water main flushing can take 15 to 60 minutes per fire hydrant to complete.
- Water main maintenance doesn't affect your water bill. You're only charged for water that passes through your meter and flushed water is emptied out of the distribution system well before then.
Flushing during drought
The City is actively taking steps to reduce our water use and conserve water. When we valve off other flows, we achieve scouring velocities of 5 to 10 ft/s, saving around 40% of water compared to conventional flushing methods. Coordination between operators working at the Water Treatment plant and Water Distribution Operators is essential to ensure volume of water used can be compensated to meet reservoir demand.
How will I know if the City is flushing in my subdivision?
City crews will have signs out in the areas where flushing will occur. The communities that are planned for this year are listed at the top of this page.
Where will you do my neighbourhood?
Not all subdivisions can or need to be flushed in the same year. The water main material and frequency of water leaks helps to determine what areas will be flushed. Additionally, if there are any water quality concerns, UDF is an effective way to remedy the issue.
Why does the City UDF?
Flushing occurs for two reasons; first is to improve water quality. Sedimentary build up in our water mains will be flushed away minimizing scale buildup that can reduce flow and may affect water quality. Secondly the flushing of mains and exercising of water valves will increase the life of the assets.
Why is there water running down the street?
All flushes are discharged out of fire hydrants. This is because we need to flow large volumes of water through isolated “runs” of the main. The best way to get rid of the water is to allow the storm system to take it away.
Is water being wasted?
All of the water used during the UDF program is returned to the Red Deer River through the storm drain system. This has the additional benefit of helping to remove sediment that has been washed into the stormwater system over the course of the year. Another side benefit of the UDF program is that clogged storm drains can be identified and corrected by City crews before they cause flooding issues in neighbourhoods.
Turbidity (suspended particle) samples are taken throughout, and the flush is completed when the main is returned to the regular quality parameters, ensuring we don’t release more water than needed.
Drought conditions are also taken into consideration when planning UDF programs. Our programs are designed to reduce any unnecessary flushing, and in years of low precipitation, our program is reduced to only address areas with water quality complaints/issues. Almost all of the flushed water will return to the Red Deer River system through the stormwater system.
Can I collect the water to use?
Yes! Residents are also encouraged to collect the water being flushed for use in landscaping, free of charge, as long as it is safe to do so. Sometimes rocks and debris can be discharged in the water, so please use caution.
Why is there no water?
The flushing program should not interrupt water service, although lower pressure may be present during flushing. If you have encountered a loss of water please contact Environmental Services at 403-342-8750.
Why is there discolored water coming out of the hydrants?
The reason the water is discolored is because there is stagnant water in the barrel of fire hydrants. This water will sit for up to one year between inspections and become discolored. After the initial burst of water it may take a few minutes for the water to clear up. This is because we have isolated one section in which we are increasing the flow volume to scour the main and clean out any soft sediment.
What if I have quality issues with my water?
Please contact Environmental Services at 403-342-8750 or by emailing water@reddeer.ca.