Fire and Water Departments Team Up To Flush Hydrants

Spy some brown water coming out of your faucet in Winnetka? Fear not, says Brian Keys, the director of water and electric.

The annual Hydrant Flushing Program begins this week and will last for several months until all the hydrants are tested.

Earlier:

"The fire department actually does the hydrant flushing to remove sediment in the lines and provide the flow test in the hydrants to make sure they are functional," said Keys.

Spots in need of flushing are from Green Bay Road to the western boundaries of town, and from Willow Road to Scott Avenue.

A couple of key things to note:

• Water is safe to drink. Keys recommends that residents let the tap water run for a few moments when they notice discoloration.
• Discoloration in residents' water should not last longer than a day at most, according to Keys.
• Crew from the fire department will work on the hydrant flushing from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The program is a team effort between the water and fire departments in Winnetka. The village itself foots the bill for any water or maintenance fees.
• Be cautious at construction sites.

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