If your tap water has a brown tint one of these mornings, don’t panic.
Beginning on the evening of Sunday, April 20, the Riverhead Water District will be flushing out its system, cleaning its mains of any accumulated sediments.
The flushing could cause temporary discoloration of your tap water, according to water district superintendent Gary Pendzick. Be sure to check your water before doing laundry, to avoid discoloring your clothing. Let your water run a few minutes before using it, he said. It should run clear after a few minutes. If it doesn’t run clear, wait a while and run it again.
Flushing the entire system will take about three weeks, and is expected to be completed by May 10. Most of the work will be done during the overnight hours to minimize inconvenience to customers, according to the superintendent.
The water district flushes its mains every spring. It’s a simple housekeeping measure, Pendzick said.
“We pump more than 3 billion gallons a year. As the water travels through the mains, minerals will settle out and accumulate on the bottom of the mains,” Pendzick explained. “Every spring, we do this to flush out loose sediments.”
Homeowners are encouraged to flush the pipes in their homes, too, for the same reason.
“You should do this once or twice a year in your own home,” Pendzick said. Many people are aware they should flush out their hot water heater and hot water pipes, but don’t realize they should do the same for their cold water pipes as well.
“Built-up sediment in household water pipes is usually a source of dirty water in individual homes,” Pendzick said.
You can download the water district’s instructions for flushing your home’s internal water supply lines here:
http://townofriverheadny.gov/files/documents/2009.Customer.internal.hotflush.pdf
http://townofriverheadny.gov/files/documents/2009.Customer.internal.cold.flush.pdf
Pendzick said water district customers with questions or concerns should call him at 727-3205, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, contact the police department at 631-727-4500.
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