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Water System Flushing

An important part of delivering quality water involves flushing the pipes in our distribution system.  TVWD staff open fire hydrants around the district at scheduled intervals to allow water to flow through the pipes at a high velocity. This improves water quality by flushing sediment from the pipes, verifies proper hydrant and valve operation, and helps maintain firefighting capabilities.

Flushing Program Schedule

We schedule our flushing program during the wetter months when water supplies are more plentiful. We flush from larger mains first, moving to smaller mains later. The flushing route is carefully planned and valves are opened and closed to control the direction of flow.

Flushing Map

The map below shows the flushing history. Active areas are highlighted green. The scheduled areas are highlighted pink/purple. Please check back for updated schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If tap water was used during flushing, it could come from your tap with sediment that causes discoloration. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check water clarity by running cold water for a few minutes, allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If the water is clear, it's OK to resume using. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again.
  • In some cases, water may have slight discoloration for a few hours. Highly discolored water with visible sediment is safe to use for tasks like handwashing and flushing toilets, but it is recommended to avoid using it for drinking or cooking until it clears. Visit our Discolored Water page for more information.
    • Avoid using discolored water for laundry or dishwashing, as sediment can clog filters and stain items.
    • Do not use hot water during discoloration to prevent sediment from entering your water heater.
    • Use discolored water only for flushing toilets and washing hands.
  • If pressure or volume seems low, check your faucet screens for trapped particles.

If you see a crew flushing a hydrant on your street, avoid running tap water or using your washing machine or the dishwasher until the flushing is done. If you see hydrant flushing crews working in the area, please drive carefully and treat them like any other road construction crew.

When a hydrant is opened, there may be temporary incidences of discolored water while fine sediment particles are flushed out. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored water. Allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate. To verify water is clear, run your cold-water tap for a few minutes.

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