Hydrant Maintenance and Inspections Underway in Brevard County’s Barefoot Bay

By  //  December 7, 2020

will continue until further notice

Maintenance of the fire hydrants in Brevard County’s Barefoot Bay water system will begin today, Dec. 7, 2020, and continue until further notice.

BREVARD COUNTY • BAREFOOT BAY, FLORIDA – Maintenance of the fire hydrants in Brevard County’s Barefoot Bay water system will begin today, Dec. 7, 2020, and continue until further notice.

Here is what you should do if hydrant flushing is taking place in your neighborhood.

A hydrant testing and flushing program is very important to the maintenance of a domestic water distribution system. R&M Service Solutions, Brevard County’s contractor, is conducting the fire hydrant maintenance and assessment program.

During this period, hydrants in Barefoot Bay will be flushed and receive maintenance.

The process of flushing fire hydrants is an important preventative maintenance activity for our potable water system. This enhances long term water quality by removing sediments from inside the mainline and flushing them out through the hydrant.

Flushing, which may appear to waste potable water, provides BCUSD the proper means to clean and refresh the water distribution system.

The purpose of conducting a flushing program is to improve water quality, conserve water when flushing, gather information and provide knowledge to conduct proper management for years to come. The increased flow actually scours the inside of the pipeline and removing silt and mineral deposits out of the water system.

During the flushing process, it is not uncommon for a yellow, brown or reddish tint to appear in your water. Harmless deposits settle out in the water mains and flushing the fire hydrants stirs the deposits, sometimes causing a brief discoloration of the water.

Here is what you should do if hydrant flushing is taking place in your neighborhood:

– If you encounter discolored water following hydrant flushing, run the cold water taps only. Do not use hot water taps throughout your home for 5 to 15 minutes, or until water clears. This allows discolored water to work its way out of your household plumbing. If you do experience discolored water on your hot side, flush in the same manner as the cold system.
– Don’t do laundry while or shortly after flushing taking place. The discolored water can sometimes stain fabrics. Wait until water runs clear at your taps before using your washing machine and wash a load of dark clothes first.
– If, after flushing, your water pressure or volume seems low, clean faucet screen to remove silt and mineral sediment that could be obstructing water flow.

For more information, or if you experience water quality problems lasting more than five hours following hydrant flushing, please contact BCUSD, Barefoot Bay Water Plant at 772-664-1633.

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