If your tap water has a brown tint one of these mornings, don’t panic.
The Riverhead Water District is set to begin its annual spring flushing out of its system, cleaning the mains of any accumulated sediment.
The flushing could cause temporary discoloration of your tap water, according to water district superintendent Mark Conklin. Be sure to check your water before doing laundry, to avoid discoloring your clothing. Let your water run a few minutes before using it, Conklin said. It should run clear after a few minutes.
Flushing the entire system will take about three weeks, Conklin said. Water district employees will start the process tomorrow night (April 17) and continue through May 7. Most of the work will be done during the overnight hours to minimize inconvenience to customers, according to the superintendent.
The water district flushes its mains every spring, Conklin said. It’s a simple housekeeping measure, he said.
As the water travels throught the mains, minerals will settle out and accumulate on the bottom of the mains. Every spring, the water district follows this procedure to flush out loose sediments,” Conklin explained.
Homeowners are encouraged to flush the pipes in their homes, too, for the same reason — including the cold water pipes. It should be done once or twice a year, according to the water district, which says built-up sediment in household water pipes is usually a source of dirty water in individual homes.
You can download the water district’s instructions for flushing your home’s internal water supply lines here:
hot water line instructions
cold water line instructions
Conklin said water district customers with questions or concerns should call him at 727-3205.
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