Fire Hydrant Flow Testing Starts Oct. 1 in Hinsdale

Submitted by the Village of Hinsdale.

Starting Oct. 1, the Hinsdale Fire Department, in conjunction with the Hinsdale Water Department, will be flow testing fire hydrants throughout the Village during the month of October. Signs will be posted and all testing will be done during the day in the following designated areas:

• County Line Road, Mills Street, Walnut and Bobolink
• 55th Street, Chicago Avenue, Madison and Garfield
• Madison, Jackson, 55th Street and Sixth Street

When a hydrant is opened, the water in the mainline will flow out at a high velocity. This creates a scouring action in the pipe and dislodges fine sediment particles that have accumulated in the pipe. The fine sediment mixes with the water, turning the water a cloudy or rusty brown color.

This mixture is discharged out of the hydrant. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored water. If there is flow testing in your neighborhood and you notice the water in your home is a rusty brown color, simply run the water until it turns clear, which should only take a few moments.

This proactive approach is part of an overall effort to better maintain the Village of Hinsdale’s water system and is in compliance of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating criteria. Residents are urged to slow down when approaching crews working around flowing fire hydrants, and to exercise caution when approaching standing and flowing water from fire hydrants throughout the Village.

If there is a fire hydrant in your parkway or near your property, the Fire Department urges residents to be diligent about helping maintain an open area of at least three feet around the fire hydrant. Please do not place anything that would restrict the visibility or access to the hydrant, such as garbage or recycling containers, yard waste, or planting flowers, trees or bushes. As always, we ask that you also follow Village ordinance by not parking in front of a fire hydrant by at least 25 feet in either direction.

Thank you for your cooperation. If there are any questions regarding this activity please feel free to contact the Hinsdale Fire Department at 630-789-7060.