Hydrant Flushing and Preventative Maintenance
- The City of Ann Arbor's annual autumn fire hydrant inspections and system maintenance will resume Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
- It is imperative that Public Works is notified immediately if a fire hydrant is used on or after October 8, 2024. This requirement also applies to metered hydrant locations utilized by contractors.
- Please report the hydrant location and time it was used to 734-794-6350 during regular business hours or 734-994-2840 after hours.
- This annual process is necessary to prepare for approaching cold temperatures and is conducted to eliminate the potential for frozen hydrants. Unlike the annual spring hydrant maintenance, residents should not expect any discoloration in their tap water due to the hydrant work taking place in the fall.
- The City of Ann Arbor's annual fire hydrant flushing will resume Spring 2025.
- Annual fire hydrant flushing resumes every spring and continues weekly until all hydrants in the city are serviced.
Why is flushing done?
- This preventative maintenance is done to remove minerals and sediment that accumulate in the water lines over the course of a year.
- During this work staff will also check and record water pressure to ensure the water system is functioning properly.
Where is flushing occurring?
- A
graphical map is updated only during annual spring hydrant flushing to show which areas of the city are having their hydrants flushed.
- Other preventative maintenance flushing done throughout the rest of the year may not appear on this map.
- You may observe nearby neighborhood fire hydrants with water coming out of the side opening.
What should you know?
- On occasion during the hydrant-flushing process, the water in area homes may have an orange or rusty appearance. This discoloration is caused by the disruption to the iron sediment in the water pipes.
- The water is safe to drink, as the discolored water does not pose a health or safety risk.
- The discolored water can cause stains to laundry. Temporary laundry coloration caused by this sediment can be removed by using a product called “Rover."
What should you do?
- If water appears discolored, run the cold water for several minutes and flush your toilets to clear your lines.
- Do not run the hot water, as rusty water may get into the hot water tank mixing it with the clear stored water.
- If you do get rusty water in your hot water heater, drain the hot water heater per the manufacturer's instructions
- The water should run clear within a few minutes, but may last until the evening when hydrant flushing stops and more people are home to move the rusty water out of the system.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding hydrant flushing, please call the city at 734.794.6320.
