Annual Campus Fire Hydrant Flushing to Begin June 4

Beginning on Monday, June 4, Physical Plant personnel will be carrying out an annual flushing of campus fire hydrants. The process is expected to take approximately five weeks.

Flushing will begin at 3 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. every weekday. Flushing at perimeter locations of campus will be done early in the shift and core locations later in the shift. Residential areas, including North Village and Lincoln Apartments, will be notified two days prior to flushing.  

During flushing, water users may experience temporarily low water pressure or discolored water. If discoloration occurs, users are advised to open the faucet fully and allow water to run until it clears.

The flushing program is performed at the recommendation of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to maintain high quality water standards.  Flushing of fire hydrants is an important preventative maintenance activity that helps ensure the integrity of the entire potable water system and the delivery of quality water to the campus.  Flushing the hydrants remove sediments from the pipes, ensures that the hydrants and valves are operating as intended, and helps to identify closed valves and weak flows.

Questions about this project should be directed to the Physical Plant utilities electrical and mechanical manager, Tom Fydenkevez, at: TFydenke@facil.umass.edu, 413-230-2143.