Annual Flushing

FLUSHING MAIN WATER LINES 

The City of Woodburn instituted an annual flushing program to improve water quality and reduce discoloration. Routine flushing is conducted during the winter months. Spot flushing, in response to periodic water quality issues, is performed throughout the year on a case by case basis. 

After the water lines are flushed community members may observe the water has a rust-colored tint caused by naturally occurring iron deposits in the pipes that are scoured-out during flushing. This is normal and the water is completely safe to consume and use. To address discolored water, residents can run all their cold water fixtures for several minutes to clear the lines.

The reasons we flush:

The City of Woodburn’s water is clean and safe. Samples are constantly monitored for various contaminants in the water supply to meet regulatory requirements. However, even though the water in our system is high quality, the appearance of the water can be impacted by sediment build-up in the mains during periods of lower demand. Flushing removes sediment - i.e. mineral deposits and aqua flora. When we flush, we run water at a high velocity and discharge it out of the fire hydrants. This process helps clean-out the water mains. Opening the hydrants to flush also serves as a way to check that the hydrants are operating properly in the event of an emergency. Our main flushing operation occurs during the wetter winter months when water demand is at it's lowest , the non-irrigation months.  Water discharged from the hydrants is collected in the City storm drains and then returned to the rivers and streams.While the water is being flushed customers in the immediate area may experience a reduction in water pressure, this will return to normal after the flushing is completed.  
 

Community members are reminded to provide crews plenty of room to work safely while sharing the roadway and slowing down when driving passing work sites. 

For more information regarding the City’s annual water main flushing program, contact the Public Works Department at 503-982-5380.