Whakatāne District Council and Ōhope Volunteer Fire Brigade will undertake a fire hydrant flushing programme throughout Ōhope in November.
The work is required to ensure the town's water reticulation scheme - and in particular, the fire hydrants it supplies - remains in good working order. Flushing will be carried out between 7 am and 9 pm from Thursday 7 November to Wednesday 4 December. Flushing near affected properties will only take between 10 minutes and half an hour. Radio announcements will be broadcast to inform residents about the areas affected. Residents can refer to the Council website for maintenance programme dates and location details.
The flushing process will also remove accumulated sediment from the water mains, which may cause some short-term discolouration of the water supply. Residents are advised not to run taps, use washing machines or dishwashers or draw water from their hot water cylinders while the work is undertaken in their area. If discoloured water is experienced, a cold tap should be run for several minutes until the water clears. Laundry washing should be delayed until the water runs clear at the tap. Council advises washing a load of dark clothes first, as discoloured water may remain in hot water cylinders.
After the maintenance is completed, flush your hot water cylinder by running the hot water tap for a few minutes after the cold water clears. It is also advisable to flush the hot water cylinder after the hydrant flushing programme has concluded, to prevent any damage that may occur due to sediment accumulation in the cylinder.
In some cases, slight discolouration may occur for a few hours after the work is carried out. While such discolouration affects the appearance of tap-water, the water is safe to drink at all times. Water may also have a milky appearance due to tiny air bubbles trapped in the system. Again, this has no impact on water quality and the air bubbles will dissipate if water is left in an open container for a few minutes. Other effects may include a temporary drop in water pressure and a more pronounced chlorine taste during the flushing process. If water pressure remains low, check tap and mixer screens for trapped particles.
Anyone experiencing continuing issues with water quality after the maintenance work is completed should contact the Whakatāne District Council Three Waters Operations on 07 306 0500.
Find out more and see the fire hydrant maintenance schedule »