Two years ago, the City of Valparaiso Water Department decided to change the way they flushed the water mains.
The old process consisted of flushing the mains twice a year by opening up the fire hydrants and letting the water run. This method was not cost effective and wasted water so the Water Department decided to find a more conservative way to flush the mains.
Unidirectional Flushing was started two years ago, as a way to conserve resources. It works by closing different valves in a given area and forcing water through a specific pipe at a high velocity, scouring the pipe. This proved very effective as the department noticed that once the pipes were scoured, they lasted longer. Having around 210 miles of water main, longer last pipes are a good thing.
This year, the Water Department is going to flush the north end of the city, with the south end getting flushed next year, in a rotating schedule. The flushing process now uses 1/3 of the water they used to use and the water will be clearer than before. The flushing will happen during the day. “Our hope is we’ll conserve water and cut down on costs and give the customer a better product,” stated Distribution Manager Chuck McIntire.
The process, which started May 3, will take around 6-8 weeks. Customers will be notified via their water bill and a reverse 911 call when the crew will be flushing in their area. If you notice low water pressure or cloudy water, it is safe to drink. If it doesn’t clear up, contact the Water Department at (219) 462-6174.