Lynnfield Center Water District to Begin Water Main Flushing Program

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Center Water District will conduct high-velocity water main flushing beginning May 2.

Flushing will occur Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., through the middle of May. Initially flushing will take place in the Apple Hill, Chestnut and Lowell Street neighborhoods.

Residents are encouraged to check the LCWD website for updates and flushing schedules. Schedule changes will be shared on the District website, Facebook, and Twitter. LCWD also will be launching Code Red system notifications to specific areas where work is taking place on a given week.

The LCWD flushes parts of its system twice each year to remove iron and manganese that builds up naturally in groundwater. Work windows are defined when the overall system has water supply capabilities to conduct the testing. This is typically in mid-spring and fall. Hydrants are flowed at high velocity to rid sediment from pipes. This expels iron and manganese before it reaches customers’ taps and ensures the long-term health of the system.

Flushing also allows for the opportunity to exercise gate valves in the system and hydrants so that operators can proactively diagnose issues that may require repair in advance of emergencies. 

Residents may experience discolored water, low pressure or no pressure during flushing.

The District offers the following tips:

• Avoid using water when District crews are flushing or testing on your street. If you do, sediment could get into your house’s pipes which could cause them to block, reduce pressure, and/or cause discoloration in your water. This situation could be expensive to repair. If you experience a problem, please contact LCWD for assistance.
• Avoid doing laundry during flushing. After flushing, run cold water for a few minutes before operating the washer.
• Once flushing is completed on your street, you may experience rusty or cloudy water. Residents should run cold water, preferably from an outdoor water spigot, until the water runs clear. Do not run hot water, do laundry, use your dishwasher, or add water to your pool until the cold water runs clean.
• If you experience lower water pressure after flushing check the faucet screen for particles that may have collected and clean if necessary.

Those with questions should contact the Lynnfield Center Water District Office at 781-334-3901. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.