Birmingham Conducts Water Flow Testing

From Birmingham Fire Department: The Birmingham Fire Department is conducting annual flow testing of the city’s hydrants. This testing should be completed by the end of May. The Fire Department flows about a third of the City’s hydrants each year.

The testing provides the department with the flow pressure and volume of water that is expected from each hydrant. Additionally, it reveals hydrants with mechanical problems. Flow testing is one of the ways the Department insures that hydrants are operable and give the proper water flow when needed.

Unfortunately, this may cause the water in the immediate area to appear rust colored. The Department does what it can to give a couple days warning to the areas that we will be flow testing for the upcoming week. Should you experience rust colored water, here are some facts:

• This condition DOES NOT pose a health problem.
• Normal running of COLD water in your home will soon clear up the problem. DO NOT USE HOT WATER. This will prevent rusty water from entering the hot water tank.
• If the rusty water affects your laundry, you may purchase “oxalic acid”, or commercial products for taking rust out of clothes, from local grocery, drug or hardware stores. Follow the product instructions for rewashing the clothes and the rust will be removed.

The Fire Department conducts the flow tests Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. We do not flow Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The map below indicates what areas are to be flowed by year.

Image Courtesy of Birmingham Police Department