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

Flushing water mains:  Safeguards water quality Removes sediment & 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 in your neighborhood, 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 local waterways to San Francisco Bay.

An added safety benefit, flushing 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 much as necessary to achieve high water quality standards.