You may see crews opening fire hydrants to flush water mains in your neighborhood. Flushing is a common practice of water agencies to keep water quality at the highest levels possible. 

Flushing water mains:

• Safeguards water quality
• Removes sediment and minerals
• Prevents water stagnation
• Ensures proper water flow for fire protection

Flushing basically scours water pipes. Water speeds through water mains faster than it typically would. After flushing happens, if you see a brief change of color, cloudiness or sediment in your water, run water from an outdoor hose bib until it clears.

Flushed water is dechlorinated as it releases into storm drains that flow through our waterways to San Francisco Bay.

Flushing also exercises hydrant valves, making sure that they fully open and close properly. This helps us find possible issues with pipes and valves so they can be put on a repair schedule, if needed.

Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities is committed to conservation. We flush only as necessary to achieve high water quality standards.