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Watermain flushing starts May 17 in Newmarket

When watermain cleaning is being conducted, most residents will not notice any changes to their water delivery service, Town of Newmarket says
watermaincleaning
The Town of Newmarket's annual watermain cleaning program runs from May 17 to October 2022.

PSA
THE TOWN OF NEWMARKET
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The Town of Newmarket will once again be conducting its annual watermain cleaning program to continue to provide safe, high-quality water to residents in Newmarket.

This season’s work will focus on uni-directional flushing (UDF) where the watermains are cleaned by flushing sequences of water from one fire hydrant to another. Uni-directional flushing is considered a best practice in preserving high-quality water and maintaining the reliability of the water distribution infrastructure in the municipal and regional water system. 

The UDF work will take place three to five times a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on May 17 until October.
 
When the UDF work is being conducted, the majority of residents will not notice any changes to their water delivery service. However, in some instances, homes may experience lower water pressure and/or discolouration in the water. Please note that discoloured water does not pose a health hazard. If this occurs, residents can run their faucets for a short time until the water is clear.
 
While the UDF work is taking place, residents may also see water being flushed out of hydrants. UDF involves closing valves in a specific sequence to create water movement in one direction while opening specific hydrants at the end of that sequence. This technique allows for higher water flow velocities by isolating certain sections of watermains.

The higher water velocity allows for better scouring of the pipes and can use up to 40 per cent less water in the flushing process compared to conventional flushing methods. Flushing pipes at higher velocities will dislodge and remove mineral deposits, biofilm and sediment that accumulate in the watermains.
 
For more information, view the Watermain Cleaning Program Frequently Asked Questions​ page on our website, or review a map of the affected area. To speak with someone directly about any issues throughout this process, please call the town directly at 905-895-5193.

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