By SALINA POST
The City of Salina has announced that it will begin flushing water lines and hydrants later this month.
The annual water line free chlorine flushing is scheduled for Wednesday through July 11.
"To maintain high water quality in the city’s water distribution system and Saline County RWD No. 3, the Utilities Department will temporarily modify the disinfection process used to treat our drinking water. This is a preventative maintenance process and consists of turning off the ammonia feed and increasing the free chlorine feed in order to maintain a more uniform disinfection level throughout the city’s water distribution system and Saline County RWD No. 3," the city noted in a news release.
The city cautioned that during the flushing period, water customers may notice a strong chlorine taste or odor in the water.
"These temporary conditions are normal during the modified disinfection process and will not cause adverse health effects. If you are especially sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine, keep an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate," the news release noted.
The city urged "users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks to seek professional advice as the method for removing free chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water."
Additionally, the city plans to conduct its annual fire hydrant flushing during the chlorine flushing of the water lines. This is a preventive maintenance measure.
"Flushing the water distribution system achieves three objectives: helps to keep the interior of the water lines clean (removes sediment); helps maintain good quality water in the water distribution system; and provides an opportunity to check the operation of all fire hydrants. The water is safe to drink but may cause staining of laundry," the city noted.
City water customers are encouraged to avoid doing laundry if the water is discolored due to fire hydrants being flushed in their areas.
The annual fire hydrant flushing is scheduled for May 31-July 5. Following is a map of when fire hydrants are scheduled to be flushed in each part of the city.
