Testing of city’s hydrants begins on beachside

Starting Monday, Jan. 24, testing will begin on the city's 2,646 fire hydrants and 7,607 valves. Each hydrant will be tested as part of a citywide annual maintenance program to ensure servable hydrants with adequate water pressure. Testing will be completed by September.

Will service be interrupted?
In most cases, residents and businesses will not notice any changes to their water service during the testing procedure; however, due to varying velocities and flow rates in the water system, customers may experience a slight water coloration. If this happens, cold water faucets should be opened for a short time until the water runs clear. This discoloration is not a health hazard; however, natural sediment stirred up during the procedure could cause laundry staining.

During last year's hydrant maintenance program, a few residential areas were identified with minor water quality issues (Cardinal Estates, Cedar Highlands, Lindley Road and Pelican Bay). This year, electronic message boards will be placed in advance of testing to notify utility customers within these service areas.

Hydromax USA is the company performing the annual maintenance and will be easily recognizable in uniforms and marked vehicles. Crews will begin on the beachside and work from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or if you have questions about your water, call (386) 671-8815.