Hicksville Water District Board of Commissioners Chairman Karl M. Schweitzer and Hicksville Fire Department Board of Commissioners Chairman Scott E. Skrynecki remind residents District personnel will be conducting fire hydrant maintenance throughout the week of October 19th. Hydrant flushing allows the District to test the hydrants to ensure adequate flow and pressure is readily available in the event of a fire emergency within the community.
“Flushing fire hydrants is one of the most important maintenance practices we can perform on our water distribution system,” stated Board of Commissioner Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “In the case of emergency, we will know our fire department can connect to the hydrants and maintain sufficient water pressure.”
The Hicksville Water District provides water to more than 1,600 fire hydrants. Flushing removes rust and sediment from the pipes in order to maintain water clarity and quality in the distribution pipes. During the flushing, the District is able to check for visible and audible leaks, test water pressure, and determine flow of gallons per minute as well as color and pH level of the water.
“Residents may experience lower water pressure than usual during the flushing in the area being tested,” added Commissioner Schweitzer. “Maximum water pressure should be restored within 15 minutes. Should residents encounter discolored water, know it is safe to drink. Simply run the cold water for about five minutes; this should clear up the water.”
The hydrant flushing identifies the amount of water a fire hydrant can deliver during an emergency situation. The District does the annual hydrant testing in order to protect the safety of the public, improve water quality and properly maintain the water distribution system.
