Beginning March 15, 2021, a slight change will be made in the water treatment process to facilitate an effective flushing program. The purpose of this temporary change in the process, which occurs annually in the Spring, is to help ensure a high level of disinfection in our community’s network of water mains.
During this period, customers may notice a slight chlorine taste and smell in their tap water. The difference in taste and smell is the result of a switch to disinfection using free chlorine, which is a more aggressive disinfectant than the chloramines used during the rest of the year. This temporary change in the water treatment process is important because it keeps bacteria from forming resistances to the usual disinfection process.
From March through May, our crews will open hydrants throughout our service area in brief intervals in order to draw water more forcefully through the distribution system. This helps to dislodge sediment that may have collected in water mains over the past year. Crews will work each day, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
To check when crews are scheduled to flush in your neighborhood, and their progress, please refer to the link: Annual Water Main Flushing or you may call (540) 507-7300, press option 5.
Frequently Asked Questions