<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591153767974.jpeg" alt="A fire hydrant is flushed at the corner of McAdams Road and Roach Street. Salina Post file photo" />
 <figcaption>A fire hydrant is flushed at the corner of McAdams Road and Roach Street. Salina Post file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The City of Salina is scheduled to begin its annual water line free chlorine flushing next week, followed the week after by the beginning of its annual fire hydrant flushing.The water line free chlorine flushing is scheduled for Monday through July 7. To maintain high water quality in the city’s water distribution system and Saline County Rural Water District No. 3, the city Utilities Department will temporarily modify the disinfection process used to treat city 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 Rural Water District No. 3, according to information from the city.Customers may notice a strong chlorine taste or odor of chlorine in their tap water during this period. 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. Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish, and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice as the method for removing free chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water.To minimize customer disruptions, the city also will be completing the annual fire hydrant flushing during this time. The fire hydrant flushing is scheduled for June 1-July 2.A temporary variation in tap water color, as well as possible sediment may occur. Running water at the tap for one or two minutes should help clear this temporary occurrence.According to the city, the annual flushing of fire hydrants is an important preventative maintenance activity which is necessary to maintain the integrity of the water distribution system and to ensure the delivery of high quality water to city customers. Flushing the water distribution system achieves three objectives: it helps to keep the interior of the water lines clean (removes sediment); it helps maintain good quality water in the water distribution system, and it provides an opportunity to check the operation of all fire hydrants. The water is safe to drink but may cause staining of laundry. Avoid doing laundry if the water is discolored, the city advised.If you have any questions concerning these flushing activities, call the city Utilities Department at 785-309-5725.Following is the fire hydrant flushing schedule as provided by the City of Salina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621479811570.jpeg" alt="2021 Hydrant Flushing sked.jpg" />
 <figcaption>2021 Hydrant Flushing sked.jpg</figcaption>
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Salina water line and fire hydrant flushing to begin soon