City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) crews will continue to test and flush fire hydrants during the week of May 4, 2015.

Crews will flush hydrants in neighborhoods between Lions Park and Interstate 80. Due to the hydrant flushing, homes and businesses in these areas may temporarily experience discolored water. While the discolored water is not at Cheyenne’s usual standard of water quality, it continues to be safe.

Customers experiencing rusty or discolored water should run cold water from a faucet or outside hose for approximately 20 minutes. This will help clear the discolored water from the service pipe between the building and the water main. If the water doesn’t clear, call the BOPU at 637-6471.

Customers should avoid using hot water or doing laundry if the water is discolored. This will help keep sediment from being drawn into the water heater or onto clothes. When the water flows clear again, you can begin using the water normally again.

The system-wide flushing is used to improve water quality and flow rates prior to summer use. Releasing water at high velocities from hydrants scours and scrubs water mains, according to BOPU spokesman Clint Bassett.

This dislodges films, removes sediments and deposits, and helps control corrosion. Because it scours and scrubs water mains, hydrant flushing may temporarily result in rusty or discolored water. The rusty color means the hydrant flushing is working.
Cheyenne has over 3,100 fire hydrants.

Crews expect to flush half of the hydrants this year. It is an effort that may take about a couple of months.

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