HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2011 Water main flushing update: crews now working the northwest side of the city �4Spil T$e��O
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Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
Thursday, September 15, 2011
11:15 am
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Dir., Communications& Spec.Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564,
David Tungate, Director, South Bend Water Works, 235-5922
Water main flushing update: crews now working the
northwest side of the city
South Bend Water Works crews have finished work on water main flushing on the northeast,
southeast, and southwest sides of the city and are now moving to the final quadrant for this
year's flushing program. Work is now underway on the northwest side of the city bounded by
US 31(11)ixie Hwy) on the east,Washington St. on the south,Primrose on the west, and
Adams on the north. A portion of Clay Township north and east of the city, a part of the City
of South Bend water system will also be flushed. This area is bounded by Adams on the north,
Hickory on the east,Douglas on the south and US 31(Dixie Hwy) on the west. (See map
attached)
The flushing program is designed to systematically move through the city's distribution system
to ensure the best water quality for our customers. Residents in the Near Northwest
Neighborhood may also be impacted by additional work on water mains in Leeper Park.
Dave Tungate, Director of South Bend Water Works reminds residents that "the water main
flushing program is an important part of the operation and maintenance of our water distribution
system. The water may be temporarily discolored, but it should clear up after we are out of the
immediate area." He also noted that"our water quality exceeds the standards for local, state and
federal safe drinking water regulations."
The "day-time"flushing program, in the Northwest quadrant,will run Mondays through
Fridays and is expected to be completed by November 11. Crews will start flushing near
Saint Joseph High School in area#1 and will generally move clockwise through the northwest
area and out to the edges of the South Bend Water Works distribution system. (See map
attached)
NOTE: Once the flushing crews have moved from the immediate area, some customers may
still have discolored water in their service lines. This can be eliminated by using a"3 by 7"
flash: simultaneously opening three cold water taps and letting the water ran for 7
minutes.
Background.
South Bend Water Works maintains more than 576 miles of water mains and 5,500 fire hydrants
throughout their water distribution system. "We provide on average 14 million gallons a day in
the winter and it is not unusual for us to pump over 30 million gallons a day in the summer,"
Tungate said.
The flushing program has two goals:
• To remove unwanted iron and manganese sediment from the water mains.
• To verify the proper operation of fire hydrants.
Interviews:
Dave Tungate, Director of Water Works is available, any time Thursday 9/15/11 and Monday
9/19/2011 to answer questions or to further explain this important, Clean City program.
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