The City of Owen Sound will be performing hydrant flushing and hydrant fire flow testing this year between now and September. The work will be more vigorous this year compared to previous years.

Fire flows in the city are expected to have increased due to the watermain improvements undertaken in conjunction with the 10th Street Bridge Project, and the increased testing is meant to confirm the extent of improvement.

If flushing is being done in your part of the city you may see effects such as lower water pressure, increased cloudiness, or rusty water. This is normal and expected when flushing older cast iron watermains.

Running a cold water tap for 5-30 minutes should clear the water. If that does not work, please call the Water Department at 519-376-4274.

The hydrant fire flow testing will start on the west side of the city and proceed from the north to the south. If everything proceeds as scheduled the hydrant fire flow testing will then move to the east side next week starting in the north and proceed south.

The hydrant flushing program will start on the east side of the city and proceed from north to south. Once completed on the east side the hydrant flushing will then move to the west side and start in the north and continue south.

source: media release, City of Owen Sound