The City of Grand Forks has begun flushing its main water lines to remove any built-up sediment.
Hal Wright, city manager of operations, said it is an annual maintenance operation done to flush out any sediment or corrosion in the pipes. Wright said the operations should not have a significant impact on local residents.
“There may be a little bit of pressure reduction but nothing severe,” he said. “People will notice it, for instance if their sprinklers are up and we are flushing in a close area, then yes, pressure will drop.” There is a small chance that residents might see a water disturbance as a result, said Wright.
“Sometimes if there is a flushing there might be a slight discoloration and then we recommend that if (residents) do see this that they run an outside or inside tap for 10 or 15 minutes. In most cases you don’t see anything at all,” said the city’s manger of operations.
In the rare chance that there is any discoloration, it simply comes from the movement or disturbance of the pipe and any sediment that is built up in the pipe.
The city will be opening up hydrants at convenient locations to flush through any sediment over the next few months.