Jackson to begin annual water-flushing program today

Jackson plans to begin its annual water flushing program today.

The purpose of the flushing is to remove any mineral sediment buildup in pipes as well as improve water quality and maintain the valves and hydrants within the city.

Erica Bogenpohl, staff engineer for Jackson, said that each year the city flushes a portion of the hydrants in Jackson. This year, hydrants on the east side of town will be flushed. She said the program splits the city into four quadrants so the pipes are flushed roughly every four years.

The program will begin today and run approximately eight to 12 weeks until all the pipes are cleared.

Approximately 300 fire hydrants will be flushed out, said Rodney Bollinger, Jackson public works director.

Over the next two weeks, firefighters will be working south of East Jackson Boulevard and in the Annwood Estates, Warren Place and Klaus Park Village subdivisions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., he said.

Bollinger said they are going to start slowly and gradually do more at a time.

Bogenpohl said the time it takes to clear each fire hydrant varies depending on the amount of buildup. It could take up to 20 minutes to clean an individual hydrant, she said.

Residents are asked by city officials to visit the websites jacksonmo.org and jacksonfire.org to view the schedule for when pipes in their neighborhoods will be flushed. They are asked to refrain from drinking, cooking or doing laundry while the water appears cloudy from sediments.

Bogenpohl said the schedule should be available this morning.

The flushing affects all residents in Jackson because of the loop-type system the city operates, she said.

Bogenpohl said all the systems are connected, which means water flows from every which way within the city, allowing sediment to enter from practically anywhere.

Residents will be able to tell their water is being flushed because it may appear cloudy or discolored from the stirring sediment. The sediment is capable of staining clothes.

Residents may need to clear the sediment in their own homes by doing their own "internal flush," Bogenpohl said. This consists of letting water run from all faucets in a home for approximately five minutes. In the news release, Jackson officials recommended letting bathtubs and outdoor faucets run in order to clear sedimentation from the water.

The water is not considered harmful to drink, and it is also not required that residents flush their own houses.

The news release recommended using the water to feed a homeowner's flowers or lawn instead of letting it go to waste.

For further information, contact the Jackson Public Works Department at 243-2300 or the Jackson Fire Department at 243-1010.

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