CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Charlottetown’s water and sewer utility continues to provide essential services to residents and businesses while working to protect employees during this public health emergency.
As part of the utility’s business continuity plan, operations to ensure clean water is delivered to customers remains the top priority.
As a result, the utility is advising that it will be starting its regular spring maintenance check and bi-annual hydrant flushing program, which will take place over a four- to six-week period. The work is scheduled to begin in early April.
The program ensures every hydrant and watermain in Charlottetown is functioning properly, and is based on best practices in other jurisdictions and considered necessary preventative maintenance to ensure water quality and improve public safety.
During this time, hydrants in Charlottetown will be operated at full capacity for about three to five minutes each, until the water runs clear.
Water is released from the hydrants at a high velocity to ensure proper hydrant operation and to flush sediment from the pipe network.
Water from these hydrants will be allowed to flow freely during testing and cannot be captured at such high velocity for recycling.
The public is asked to avoid hydrants as they are being flushed.
The maintenance may cause a temporary discolouration of the water supply and/or slight drop in water pressure.
Staff completing the work will continue enhanced sanitation efforts and practise social distancing.
The public is also asked to observe the minimum two metres (six feet) of distance if approaching city employees.