IRVINE : Water Mains to Be Flushed Annually

It might look to some like a colossal waste, but Irvine Ranch Water District officials said their new “Water Main Flushing Program” will keep the city’s water supply clean and pure.

The district plans to activate each of the city’s fire hydrants on an annual basis, sending water cascading into the street for as long as five minutes.

“We stress conservation,” said Ken Thompson, water quality manager for the district. “This may seem contrary to conservation, but it isn’t. It’s necessary to keep the water quality high.”

The flushing removes sediment from the water and prevents it from building up and causing more serious problems later on, Thompson said.

District workers are able determine how much material is in the water by checking its color. Water with a substantial amount of sediment has a brown color.

As each main is flushed, district workers also will make sure the hydrants are in working order.

“We make sure the valves are properly working and that everything is ready to go,” Thompson said.

The chances of finding sediment in the water are greater in Irvine than in other areas because the district blends filtered surface water with ground water from wells.

The well water sometimes carries with it small amounts of sediment, Thompson said.

Officials urged residents not to be alarmed when they see workers allowing water to gush from the hydrants.

They also recommended that residents turn on the kitchen faucet for about five minutes after their neighborhood hydrant is flushed to make sure all excess silt and precipitates are removed.