Water Main Flushing Alert

The Town will begin flushing of the water mains on April 3rd. This is typically done with any municipal water system to remove any sediment that may build up in the pipe. The Town opens hydrants along the water line, stirring up the sediment in the pipe which is then removed from the system thru hydrants located at the limits of the flushing area. This is done to prevent the sediment from being stirred up in the water lines during a fire, high demand time of year or a broken water line. Most of the sediment is removed from the pipes but some does escape into the system which causes the discoloration of water.

The water system is a closed system and sediment can spread throughout the system until it is flushed.  Removing discolored water from your residence begins by allowing water to flush from an outdoor spigot. This will prevent sediment from entering fixtures in the residence. It is also why Border Street can experience brown water from a hydrant that is opened on Front Street. The sediment travels thru the system until it can escape. The entire water system is controlled by pressure and elevation.

Where does the brown water come from? The major cause of the discolored water is old unlined water pipes that can react with the minerals naturally occurring in water. The Town is in the process of replacing 23 miles of this pre-1935 water pipe and has removed over 15 miles of this pipe from service to date. The Town is heavily dependent on ground water wells as a source of drinking water which can also be rich in minerals and contribute to the brown water. These minerals consist of iron or manganese.

The Town will do preemptive flushing to remove sediment from the system and try to prevent future brown water concerns over the summer when usages are highest. Last year the Town was impacted by the drought and unable to flush or complete transition from the old to new water pipes that were installed last year. The water replacement work will be starting again soon and there is always the possibility of brown water as we deactivate the older pipes.  

The following schedule lists the streets and dates the Town Plans to flush:

     April 3rd, Monday Evening from 10PM to 4AM:

                        Driftway

                        New Driftway

                        New Kent Street

                        Kent Street

                        Blanchard Road

                        Seagull Lane

                        Hewes Road

                        Foxwell Lane

                        Cobb Lane

                        Gilson Road

                        Bassin Lane

                        Eagle Nest Road

                        Moorland Road

                        Parker Ave

                        Cliff Ave

                        Michael Ave

                        Lincoln Ave

                        Collier Road

                        Brown Ave

        April 4th Tuesday Evening from 10PM to 4AM:

                        Old Driftway / Driftway

                        Stockbridge Road

                        Bearce Lane

                        Lynda Lane

                        Common Street

                        Wheeler Park Drive

                        Stone Road

                        Chester Street

                        Roslin Road

      April 5th Wednesday Evening from 10PM to 4AM:

                        Maple Street

                        Grove Street

                        First Parish Road

                        Beaver Dam Road

                        Tilden Road

        April 6th Thursday Evening from 10PM to 4AM

                        Chief Justice Cushing Highway

                        Old Forge Road

                        Agawam Drive

                        Stearns Road

                        Deer Common Road

                        Doctors Hill Road

                        Satuit Trail

                        Metacomett Road

                        Sherman Drive

                        Wamsutta Road

                        Sassamon Road

 Thank you for your patience.