Spring Hydrant Flushing has begun

The Town of Collingwood Water Department completes hydrant flushing as an important preventative maintenance activity. The process is part of a routine maintenance program necessary to maintain the integrity of the water system and to deliver the highest quality of water to our customers.

The Town’s distribution network consists of watermain ranging in size from 100mm – 600 mm diameter. Sediment and deposits naturally occur over time and if not removed can cause water quality deterioration, including discolouration, taste and odour problems. We flush watermains annually, and all dead end hydrants as required to remove these deposits – ensuring high water quality and adequate disinfection residuals are maintained. Chlorine residuals and flowing pressure readings are taken at each hydrant while flushing is taking place.

Spring maintenance also includes checking and lubricating the hydrant ports, painting, removing hydrant markers, replacing or making repairs to hydrants and any other work related to keeping the hydrants operational all year long. 

If tap water is used during flushing, it could be discoloured or contain sediment. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait for approximately 1 hour. After waiting, check for clarity by running cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again. We recommend using a tub or outside faucet to clear the line. In some cases, you may experience slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.

If you have any other concerns, call the Water Department at 705-445-1581 x 3320