the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, starting Sunday evening, October 18, 2020, at 9:00pm, Ridgewood Water (RW) will perform hydrant flushing in the systems of all four municipalities served by the utility. This is an essential part of our system maintenance program because it helps us to continue to provide you with high-quality water service. In order to cleanse the system, we have to systematically open the fire hydrants to increase water flows. This allows us to “flush” any minerals and deposits from the pipes that may have accumulated.
While flushing the system will not interrupt your water service, when crews are working in your area, you may notice a temporary drop in water pressure or discolored water. This is normal. If this happens, simply let your water run until it is clear. There are no health concerns associated with the minerals that get stirred up, but residents are urged to avoid doing laundry while crews are working.
Ridgewood Water will notify registered residents using the Swift Reach Reverse 911 calling. Residents may register to receive these calls by clicking on the SwiftH2O link at the bottom of the Ridgewood Water website homepage at water.ridgewoodnj.net. On the RW website customers can also determine which flushing route they are in, the nearest hydrant to their property and review updates on the program. A video on the flushing process is also available for viewing on the website. Questions on routes, maps or schedules can be directed to Neil Gallone, Jr. at 201-670-3372 (M-F 7:30am – 3:30pm) or ngallone@ridgewoodnj.net
Ridgewood Water will perform the flushing by “Pressure Zone”, not by municipality. Each “Pressure Zone” is essentially its own water system. Although our zones are connected and can have water transferred/pumped from one zone to another when needed, performing the flushing by zone is much easier on the operators maintaining the pressures and flows throughout the day. RW maintains 5 different “Pressure Zones” throughout our system, with two of our 5 zones crossing municipal boundaries. We will have four crews out flushing hydrants/blow-offs each evening between 9:00pm – 4:30am Sunday evening – Friday morning, with the intent of finishing in 2 weeks. We will have one crew in each zone from the beginning.
For detailed information on the hydrant flushing program click HERE.
Customer Tips
Tap water may be discolored while crews are flushing in your area; (9:00 pm to 4:30 am) so you should avoid the use of washing machines and dishwashers during those hours. Even when the water is discolored, the water is safe for consumption.
Discolored water may linger in your pipes after the flushing work has been completed. If so, run the cold water until the water runs clear.
Before using the washing machine or dishwasher, check a nearby faucet for discolored water and run the water until it runs clear at the tap. If your laundry inadvertently becomes stained, DO NOT PUT YOUR LAUNDRY IN THE DRYER. Rewash clothes immediately using detergent and a rust remover such as “Red B Gone.” This product will be available from Ridgewood Water if needed at no cost to consumers and can be picked up at designated Ridgewood Water Department facilities.
For more information, call Ridgewood Water at 201-670-5520. Most rust removers can also be used on stained fixtures such as sinks, tubs and toilets.
If water pressure or water volume at the tap seems unusually low after flushing has been completed in your area, check your faucet aerators for trapped particles. If after doing so, the problem still exists, you should contact Ridgewood Water.
To determine which flushing route you are in, or to see a video on the hydrant flushing process, click HERE.
