Salem Will Begin Hydrant Flushing To Fix Water Discoloration

SALEM, NH — The Utilities Division will begin hydrant flushing to fix the water discoloration that Salem residents have reported.

The Salem Utilities Division has received water quality complaints due to color. On May. 20, Salem switched over to Canobie Lake water to increase the town's water flows by over 800 gallons per minute as water demands increased due to the summer. Because of that, some mineral deposits, including iron, may have been present in the distribution system that got stirred up, causing discoloration. There is no health hazard associated with this process and water is safe.

The discoloring will begin to clear up as the disturbance in the system settles out or is flushed, but it may take several days. If this issue does not clear up, please call the Utilities Division at 603-890-2171.