Maintenance crews from the Portland Water Bureau will be clearing water mains of harmless sediments and testing water system components. This routine work will take place through March 15, 2013 in outer southeast Portland, from SE Powell Boulevard to SE Holgate Boulevard, between SE 117th and SE 136th avenues.

Uni-directional flushing using fire hydrants increases the water system's reliability, operability and emergency preparedness. The flushing program methodically works through a whole pressure zone area to bring up local chlorine residuals, test hydrants and flow control gate valves, and clean out sediments and biofilm that accumulated in pipelines. These sediments and biofilm are natural and exists in all water systems, yet are only discharged in pipes under extremely high pressure.

When a flushing crew is working on neighborhood streets, water will be gushing from hydrants at a high rate - 800 gallon per minute. Water from faucets may become discolored. If your water is a brown color or "dirty," the Portland Water Bureau recommends that you turn on each cold water faucet and allow it to run for several minutes. This should clear up any temporary discoloration. If your water does not clear up, please call the Water Quality Line at (503) 823-7525.

Water service will not be interrupted. Updates on the flushing program - including a map of current flushing areas and future maintenance - are posted on the Portland Water Bureau's website at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/flushing.

Tim Hall
Community Information and Involvement

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