Homeowner’s Guide to Service Line Flushing

The groundwater pumped from our wells contains naturally occurring minerals (manganese and iron.) When the well water is treated with chlorine these minerals fall out of suspension and settle on the bottom of water mains and service lines. These mineral deposits are flushed from our mains twice annually, as part of our routine maintenance, but service lines are not. Customers can obtain better water quality in their homes by implementing their own domestic service line flushing program.

Home owners can flush their service lines by simply running a large volume of cold water thorough their service line by opening three or more faucets in the home at the same time.

To Flush Your Service Lines:

This should take between 10-20 minutes of flowing water, depending on the length of your service line.

(Note: Faucets without aerators, such as the bathtub spouts or garden hose spigots, flow more water and yield better results.)

1. Run cold water only! This keeps sediment out of hot water tanks.
2. Open all outdoor garden hose spigots.
3. Open all bathtub spigots (COLD WATER ONLY).
4. Remove aerators and run faucets (COLD WATER ONLY), if possible.
5. Continue flushing until water runs clear.

Once cold water runs clear, hot water tanks can be flushed using attached instructions.

To ensure clear drinking water this flushing should be conducted at least twice per year.

If any problems arise or further assistance is needed please contact us.

Flushing Gas Hot Water Tanks:

1. Leave the cold water feed valve on. The tank will need the incoming water to help flush the discolored
   water up and out through the elevated garden hose.
2. Locate the gas control valve and turn the knob to the “pilot” position.
3. Allow water in tank to cool.
4. Connect a garden hose to the water draw off valve. Run the hose up your stairs or up and out through the
   window. The hose should be placed so that the water can safely drain (ex. grass, sloped pavement, catch
   basin, etc.) Remember – the water can be very HOT!
5. Open the water draw off valve fully (turn the valve all the way to the left.). The tank will begin to drain.
6. Once the draining water runs clear (check by filling a white cup with the water), turn the water draw off
   valve off. Crimp the hose to stop the water from draining back in, and remove the hose.
7. Turn the gas control valve to the “ON” position and the gas will turn on to begin heating the water.

Flushing Electric or Oil Hot Water Tanks:

1. Locate the electrical circuit breaker or the fuse box and remove the fuse or flip the breaker. For oil tanks,
   you may need to locate the red wall switch and flip it off or find the breaker or fuse box.
2. Allow water in tank to cool.
3. Leave the cold water feed valve on. The tank will need the incoming water to help flush the discolored
   water up and out through the elevated garden hose.
4. Connect a garden hose to the water draw off valve. Run the hose up your stairs or up and out through the
   window. The hose should be placed so that the water can safely drain (ex. grass, sloped pavement, catch
   basin, etc.) Remember – the water can be very HOT!
5. Open the water draw off valve fully (turn the valve all the way to the left.). The tank will begin to drain.
6. Once the draining water runs clear (check by filling a white cup with the water), turn the water draw off
   valve off. Crimp the hose to stop the water from draining back in, and remove the hose.
7. Dry your hands thoroughly, then replace the fuse or turn the breaker back on.