Glen Cove hydrant flush could affect water pressure, color

The Glen Cove Water Department will flush 85 fire hydrants around the city in April, which could cause a brief period of water pressure fluctuation and water discoloration for some residents.

The city flushes fire hydrants on dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs twice a year to clean out rust particles and fine sand, public works director James Byrne said. The sediments build up because the piping ends, so water isn’t flowing continuously.

City workers will open the hydrants and run the water at full pressure — usually for 15 to 20 minutes — until the sediments are cleared, Byrne said.

During that time, residents may notice low pressure at times or, for residents who live near one of the hydrants being flushed, brownish water. The water is safe to drink, Byrne said.

The flushing will continue throughout the month and is designed to remove sediments before the water system’s peak usage period, during the summer. The fire hydrants also are flushed in October, city spokeswoman Lisa Travatello said.

For more information, call the water department at 516-676-5096.