Lancaster City Water will conduct routine system flushing beginning September 28, 2026. Flushing keeps the water fresh, improves taste and clarity, and helps make sure the system delivers clean water at the proper pressure for both drinking and public safety purposes.
Lancaster City Water conducts system flushing to clear out anything that shouldn’t be sitting in the pipes, like built-up sediment, rust, or stagnant water. Flushing keeps the water fresh, improves taste and clarity, and helps make sure the system delivers clean water at the proper pressure for both drinking and public safety purposes.
We conduct valve exercising in the distribution system to ensure proper function and operation, so that we may continue to provide our customers with reliable water service. This work continues throughout the year.
When this maintenance occurs, customers who are near the valve location might experience discolored water or loss in water pressure. This will only be temporary, and your water quality will be back to normal shortly thereafter.
Though they are similar, there are some key differences between the two:
Water main flushing is a routine operation done to clean and maintain our water system. During this activity, water is forced through underground water mains at high speed and flushed out of fire hydrants to remove accumulated sediment. This flushing is done until the water coming through the main runs clear. This is done one section at a time until each section runs clear. This operation can take a few minutes to several hours.
Flushing operations are conducted twice a year, spring and fall, and on an as needed basis. The areas of our system that have dead-end mains, where water can become stagnant, are flushed twice a year. The entire system is flushed every year in the spring.
To clean the pipes effectively, water must be discharged from the fire hydrants with sufficient speed and volume. The flow is stopped as soon as the water is clear so that only the amount needed to clean the system is released into the street. Safety, regulatory, and logistical considerations prevent us from capturing this water for reuse.
Flushing is conducted throughout the year. Customers are notified through Red Rose Alerts when flushing will occur in their area.
Yes. The temporary discoloration is caused by minerals and other fine particles, such as iron and manganese, which are not harmful to your health and are found in many drinking water system.
Customers may experience temporary periods of low water pressure. Flushing operations may also lead to brown or discolored water, which can be drawn into homes and businesses if the water is being used during or immediately following the flushing. This is a temporary condition and should only affect customers for a few hours at most. The discoloration can stain porcelain and laundry. If discoloration occurs, open the cold tap nearest the water main — usually the front outside faucet — to full flow and run the water into your garden or lawn for a few minutes until it is clear. If the water does not clear the first time, wait a few minutes and run the water again. Also, it is important to not run hot water if you notice it is discolored, as the discolored water can be drawn into the hot water tank.
During flushing operation, residents may hear water discharging with force from the hydrants and see water flowing in the streets. Drivers are asked to take caution during this time so as to avoid hydroplaning and other hazardous conditions.
As part of our mission to provide a reliable, clean drinking water supply, a flushing program is used to improve water quality, restore water pressure and protect pipe integrity. Part of the program also involves testing valves and fire hydrants to ensure they are operating properly. Lancaster City Water maintains approximately 600 miles of distribution pipelines, 5,800 fire hydrants and 26,000 valves.
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