City of Grand Junction water distribution crews on March 14 began the spring hydrant-testing program. Flushing starts each weekday at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 3:30 p.m. The program started in the Orchard Mesa area and will end at 29 Road and Orchard Avenue. Testing will take approximately two weeks to complete.

During the testing program, homeowners may notice discolored or aerated water coming from taps. This is a normal part of the process. Water customers are encouraged to run water in a bathtub for five to 10 minutes to flush any discolored water from service lines.

This is part of a program that began in 1992 to assure the highest quality drinking water for City of Grand Junction water customers. The city has approximately 995 fire hydrants and 150 miles of pipe in its service area. Each year this program tests 50 percent of the total number of fire hydrants. The total volume of water used during the entire program is approximately 2 million gallons. Between 1,000 and 6,000 gallons of water is flushed from each hydrant.

“The total amount of water used in the testing program equates to about one-half of the city’s average daily consumption during the month of May,” Utilities Director Randi Kim said. “This is an important program that not only helps us maintain water quality, but it also ensures the Grand Junction Fire Department has adequate pressure in the hydrants when they arrive on scene to put out a fire.”

Besides maintaining water quality, other reasons for testing the water system include: maintaining chlorine residuals throughout the water system; elimination of taste and odors; removal of discolored water; maintaining the life of water mains and hydrants; and checking fire flow rates and exercising hydrants.