HomeMy WebLinkAbout0131.094r ~ . , '. ,(" "'J--
January 20, 1~94
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, california
Palo Alto Water Main pistri~D Flushing Prggram -status Report
Members of the Council~
This is an informational report on the status of the Water
Utility's annual Water Main Distribution systelll. Flushing :rrogram.
It advises Council why such a program is required and when it will
be implemented~ No council action is xequired~
BAdc:ground
Historically, the City of Palo Alto and approxim4tely 85 percent o£
water utilities in the united states use main flushing to impr~~e
water quality tor water eustomeX'e;:. Water utilities :may flush
distribution mains :for a. variety of reasons: corrosion control,
sediment reaoval: taste and odor controll control of color, hiqh
turbidity, low chlorine resi~uals, 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 of
bacterial growth and for ssailllent removal. This past year the
Water utility operations had fewer water qu~lity complaints, as a
result of the 1993 water Main Flushing Program~
Piscussion
Between ~990 and 1993 calendar years, the Palo Alto water Utility
did not perform an annual me.ir. flushing program because of the
drouqht. During this period, customer water consumption was also
reduced, thereby accelerating sediment buildup in the mains.
Subsequently, durinq the 1992 year~ numerous calls were received
complaininq about .ater quality. At that time, &taff took vater
ClOtl131t t4
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&&mplea in response to these calls and found that the reduced water
quality vas due to the buildup ot sediment in the mains. Also,
City Fire Depa~ment personnel found =ore sedim~nt in their
equip .. nt from the City's water system durinq 1992. Because of
.ediaent buildup in previous years_ staff has dete~ined that the
maie flushing program w1:1.1 be performed this ye-ar.
'1'b. vatar distribution tlusninq program will be implelllented and
maintained on an annual basis. .Beginning March 14, 1994 and
continuing through March 20, 19~4, the City's Water utility
operations Division will open fire hydrants to flush out sediment
which bas oDlle~ted in the mains during the past year.
In ord&J:' to inform the p1.!blic !"eqarding the rationale for this
approach the water system flushing schedule (copy attached) ~il1 be
mailed to the City's water customQrs through utility billings and
displeyed in the Palo Alto Weekly.
q~
Director of Utilities
BERllARD M. STROJNY
Assistant City Manager
AttachMent: Water System Flushing Schedule
CIII(: 131' tc
"v
water System
Monday
March 14 --Jf£. ''I.
Monday Night
March 14 "I 1"1'°.9 ' , 0:00 PM ,i I J
Sunday
March 20 \, F f
Tuesday Night
March 15
10:00 PM \
\
Flushing Schedule
-Wednesday
March 16 Friday Night
March 18
7:00 PM
, ! " , 'i~ .. : -"\--Thursday
Mnrch 17
Friday
~ -'II. "--Tuesday
March '15
.~ ~ ,. ( Sunday
March 20
• _) -: Tuesday
March 15
•
The Palo Ana Water UUlly
Dlvl."ln win begin flU1-hlng t". waler
dl$trtbuflon system Monday, Man:h
14, 1994, and wi. coolinue througtl
Sunday. March 20. 1" ...
The City'. Water Utlmy
Operations Oivlt;>iI;m will 0pflin fire
hydrants 10 flush out 8fJdhneht that
!'Ia$ collected In the mail"l& durin~ the
paAtyaar.
FhJ5hlnQ of the mains may cIJt,Jse
lIome slight but temporary reduction
~ .
In WBtfJf pressure IiInd posliible water '1
discoloftltion, However, your waler
femains absolutely !!J.I:fe for drinking. I
We suggest you r.f'~h from ~
doing loufldry wNle the water 6n811 ... :'
.re being flushed In yuur particular I. l't
arell, if you .11. neal Hny srV8
bordar, pleu,,"e tefraln from doing
Iliundry while the water linea life
belnlil flushed !n both aroaa.
For oddlllon81In'orm~Uon, plasse
call Utl~tl811 Operatlons at 496-69B2_
Thank you.
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Municipal Ulilltlea
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