HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-28 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:.
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
JANUARY 28, 2002 CMR: 111:02
PALO ALTO WATER MAIN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FLUSHING
PROGRAM - STATUS REPORT
This is an information report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
Historically, the City of Palo Alto and approximately 85 percent of water utilities in the
United States use main flushing to improve water quality for water customers. Water
utilities may flush distribution mains for a variety of reasons: corrosion control, sediment
removal, taste and odor control, control of color, high turbidity, low chlorine residuals, or
bacteriological growths, or as a response to customer complaints. The main objectives of
Palo Alto’s flushing program are to improve water quality, control bacterial growth and
remove built-up sediment.
Between 1990 and 1993, the Palo Alto Water Utility did not perform an annual main
flushing program because of the drought. During this period, customer water
consumption was also reduced, thereby accelerating sediment buildup in the mains.
During 1992, there were numerous complaints about Palo Alto water quality. In
response, staff took water samples and found that the reduced water quality was due to
the buildup of sediment in the mains. Additionally, the Palo Alto Fire Department found
more sediment in it’s equipment from the City’s water system during 1992. Water
Operations staff has flushed mains every year since 1993. Since 1993, staff has not
received water quality complaints due to sediment build up in the distribution mains
because of the success of the annual water distribution system flushing program.
CMR: 111:02 Page 1 of 2
Beginning March 11, 2002 and continuing through March 17, 2002, the City’s Water
Utility Operations Section will open fire hydrants to flush out sediment that has collected
in the mains during the past year.
The water system main flushing schedule will be mailed to the City’s water customers
through utility billings and displayed in the Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Daily, City
Internet Home Page, and on the AT&T Broad Band Services community access channel.
ATTACHMENT: Water System Flushing Schedule
’PREPARED BY: An Le, Charles Borg, Roger Cwiak, and Sc
DEPARTMENT HEAD: ~L~CH¢I~’’"
JDiOr~ of Utilities
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:~~).
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 111:02 Page 2 of 2