Potential Benefits of a Unidirectional Flushing Program

1. Water Quality: Immediate water quality improvement due to the restoration of disinfection residuals and removal of accumulated debris and biofilms. A good flushing program can also reduce disinfection demand by reducing bacterial growth.
2. Affordable: Can be implemented using only limited capital resources to develop and begin.
3. Dual Maintenance Role: Allows you to simultaneous exercise your valve and hydrants while cleaning your distribution lines. This helps keep your distribution system in top shape while at the same time helping maintain consistent flow and pressure.
4. Conserves Water: Uses less water than conventional flushing methods.
5. Meet Regulations: Can help system meet increased regulatory requirements.
6. Happy Customers: Will help eliminate customer complaints of dirty water.
7. Mmmm…Tastes Good: Can improve taste and odor by reducing bacteria counts.

Safety Issues to Consider When Conducting a Flushing Program

1. Make certain that your flushing crews are properly equipped with all necessary personal protective equipment and the correct tools.
2. Do not send employees out alone to complete flushing tasks. Typically, a two-person crew is more efficient due to the distances between hydrants and valves.
3. Since many of the valves that must be operated during flushing operations are located on or near active roadways, at least one crew member should be designated to control traffic while the other crew members are operating the distribution system valves.
4. Traffic signs, cones, flags, and/or vehicles with warning lights should be used as necessary to alert motorists of flushing activities.
5. Brightly colored safety vests should be worn by all crew members. Remember, safety isn’t always fashionable.
6. Keep the public away from flushing activities. Children are often attracted to such activities and should be kept away.
7. Open hydrant valves completely to prevent water from discharging through the barrel drain at pressure.
8. Open and close hydrants slowly to prevent the development of dangerous pressure surges and water-hammer.
9. Use well-restrained energy dissipaters designed to prevent the water pouring out of the valve from damaging private property. Mrs. Johnson will not be happy if you blast away her prize-winning gardenias.
10. Discharge flushing water directly into a sanitary or storm sewer whenever possible to avoid flooding streets and underground electrical vaults. If street flooding is unavoidable, use signs, flags, and other warning devices to direct traffic away from the area. It is also a good idea to notify local law enforcement officials of the situation.