Published in the September 20, 2018 edition

NORTH READING — The North Reading Water Department, as part of the maintenance of the water distribution system, will begin the annual fire hydrant flushing program on Monday, September 24 and this program will continue until late in October.

Hydrant flushing is used to remove any fine iron or manganese sediment from the water mains in the streets. Iron and manganese are naturally occurring minerals found in the soils near the Town’s water supply wells. As precipitation passes down through these solid, iron and manganese dissolve into the water.

While the Water Department treats the well water specifically to remove iron and manganese, trace amounts of these minerals remain in the water leaving our water treatment plants. This remaining dissolved iron and manganese combine with oxygen in the water to form fine particles that settle out of the water in the water distribution system.

Iron and manganese do not present health risks, but can cause a number of aesthetic problems, such as discolored water and staining of plumbing fixtures or laundry. The fine particles of iron and manganese in the water mains can easily become re-suspended whenever there is a change in flow in the water system, such as during a fire or other periods of high water usage. By creating the high flow conditions through hydrant flushing, the Water Department attempts to remove the color causing particles in a systematic manner.

The flushing program begins in the area of the water supply sources and moves progressively across the town, using areas that have already been cleaned to provide the water to areas yet to be flushed.

Flushing will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, typically between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residents and business owners are cautioned that they may experience discolored water during the hours of flushing in their area.

For additional information on the flushing program, please contact the Department of Public Works at 978-664-6060.

Hydrant Flushing Schedule

Day 1 – Monday, September 24

Allston Road, Audubon Road, Batchelder Avenue, Bates Road (Wilmington), Belleflower Road, Brooks Road, Burroughs Road, Chester Street, Cogswell Road, Comeau Road, Eaton Avenue, Edgewood Terrace, Elma Road, Emerson Road, Fairway Road, Fieldcrest Terrace, Flash Road, Hillside Road\, Homestead Terrace, Lakeside Boulevard, Larson Street (Wilmington), LeClair Street, Main Street (from Andover Town Line to Sullivan Road), Old Andover Road, Pinecrest Road, Pluff Avenue, Poplar Terrace, Porter Road, Roach Circle. Shore Road, St. Theresa’s Street. Travelled Way. Virginia Road. Voke Street, and Shaw’s Plaza.

Day 2 – Wednesday, September 26

Acorn Knoll, Central Street (from Andover Town Line to North Street), Eugley Park (East and West), Hillview Road, Lantern Lane, Memory Lane, North Street (from Central Street to Sunset Avenue), Pine Ridge Road, Puritan Road. Sandy Lane, Shady Hill Drive.

Day 3 – Thursday,  September 27

Berridge Way, Central Street (from North Street to Spruce Road), Country Club Road, Deer Run Drive, Eagle Drive, Fernway, Francis Street, Main Street (from North Street to Lowell Road), North Street (from Central Street to Main Street), Northridge Drive, Oak Knoll Avenue, Pine Glen Drive, Plymouth Street, Pomeroy Road, Red Hill Road, Ridgeway Road, Spring Lane, Valley Road, Yankee Lane, Greenbriar Estates.

Day 4 – Friday, September 28

Abbott Road, Beech Road, Birch Street, Bonpel Drive, Elvira Road, Junction Road. Lawrence Road, Leland Road, Lowell Road (Route 62), Main Street (from Sullivan Road to North Street), Navillus Road, North Street (from Main Street to Lowell Road), Oak Avenue, Patley Road, Pine Avenue, Rodgers Circle, Sachem Street, Shirley Avenue, Sullivan Road, Vine Street, Wilson Avenue and Winthrop Road.