The County’s watermain flushing and hydrant maintenance program, and fire flow testing program will be taking place in the Picton and Wellington Drinking Water Systems for the next 6 to 8 weeks. Flushing will take place between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
Water mains will be flushed and hydrants will be serviced throughout The County’s Drinking Water Systems in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code (Ontario Regulation 730/81). Detailed information on what to expect when flushing is taking place in your area is available on The County’s website.
Flow testing and rating is conducted to support fire protection in The County. Fire fighters use the fire hydrant rating results to anticipate the water supply available through a hydrant when they arrive at the scene of a fire.
Information on where hydrant flushing and fire flow testing is taking place will be posted on The County’s website, Twitter (@Shire_Hall) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PrinceEdwardCounty).
While flushing and fire flow testing is taking place, customers are asked to avoid excessive water use (Example: running tap water for extended periods, using the washing machine and dish washer simultaneously).
Customers in the immediate area of hydrant flushing may experience intermittent pressure fluctuations and some discolouration of tap water while flushing is being completed. This does not affect the safety or quality of your water.
If coloured water has been experienced, customers should run the cold water tap closest to the water meter for a few minutes until tap water runs clear. Customers are advised to wait until the water runs clear at the tap before doing laundry or running the dishwasher. Using discoloured water in your washing machine could result in stained laundry.
For more information, contact the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148.
