NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF TIMMINS
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Residents of Timmins can expect to see City employees testing and flushing fire hydrants beginning Monday, April 23 for approximately 9-11 weeks.
Two crews will be out to complete this work, and timelines are subject to change depending on emergencies and weather. The first crew will begin in Mountjoy Township, heading north-west. We will continue to issue updates as we move to other areas of town.
This is part of a regular maintenance program, necessary under the Fire Protection Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. While this process may cause temporary inconveniences, the program is designed to ensure our hydrants are in working order and ready for emergency use, verify flow capacity and clean the lines.
“We’ve developed an excellent partnership between Public Utilities and the Fire Department,” explained Public Utilities Supervisor Noel Belair. “Flushing the hydrants not only allows us to verify proper operation through audio and visual inspection, but also allows us to collect water flow information, and provide the Fire Department with useful data.”
Crews of two are required to complete the work as the equipment is heavy and awkward for one person, and to ensure the safety of staff around the high levels of water pressure.
Homeowners and businesses may experience short-term loss in water pressure or experience brown or rust-coloured water following the testing. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with the discoloured water.
While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn off your tap for 10-20 minutes in order to allow the crew to complete the test.
Once the test is complete and the work crew has left the area, turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.
Members of the Environmental Services Department will also make efforts to notify areas of high impact (such as restaurants, daycares, schools and seniors’ residences) when they are in the area.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Environmental Services Department at 705-360-2646. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.
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