Kane County Guide to Fire Hydrant Flushing! When Will They Go Off in YOUR Neighborhood?
Rusty water running through your faucets, maybe some discolored clothes — those are some of the things that happen when there’s fire hydrant flushing in your neighborhood.
To avoid getting caught unaware, it’s a good idea to find out when they’ll be flushing hydrants in your neighborhood. Typically, it’s done in the spring and fall seasons.
As a service to Kane County residents, here’s a roundup of information gleaned from recent Kane County community news releases and websites. It’s important to note that this is an incomplete list, based on information available via email or online.
As always, if there are any updates, please email kanecountyconnects@gmail.com or nagelrick@co.kane.il.us.
What to Do During Hydrant Flushing
This info is important for a couple reasons. First, it lets you know your community is on the ball as far as fire safety and water-supply best practices. Second, when there’s hydrant flushing in your area, you’ll probably notice some discoloration in your water. You need to let your faucets run for a few minutes if that’s the case.
Typically, residents are urged to limit water use if possible and refrain from laundering clothes during this time period to avoid staining from rusty water. In the event rusty water discolors clothing, some communities provide residents with a rust-removing solution packet. Contact your local public works department for more information.
Some communities also place signs in neighborhoods to remind residents that the program is under way — but it never hurts to plan ahead and find out when your neighborhood is on the schedule. Once crews have finished hydrant flushing in a certain neighborhood, residents can wash their clothes without restrictions.
Algonquin
- Village of Algonquin website
- Starts: April 18
- Summary: As a regular maintenance practice, the Village of Algonquin Utilities Division flushes all fire hydrants throughout the village twice a year. This exercise not only ensures proper operation of each hydrant but helps to move fresh water throughout the distribution system, improving overall water quality. Weather permitting, the spring 2016 hydrant flushing schedule is as follows.
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April 18 – April 22: The entire area east of the Fox River to Village limits.
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April 25 – April 29: The area north of Edgewood Drive and Filip Road, east of Hanson Road, west of the Fox River. This area includes the Arrowhead subdivision, Main Street, and all of Harrison Street.
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May 2 – May 6: The area south of Filip Road, Edgewood Drive, and County Line Road, west of the Fox River, and east of Randall Road.
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May 9 – May 13: The area east of Randall Road, south of Algonquin Road, west of Hanson Road, and north of Country Line Road. This includes Randall Road.
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May 16 – May 20: The area west of Square Barn Road to Village limits.
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May 23 – June 3 (excluding weekend): The area east of Square Barn Road, west of Randall Road, and south of Algonquin Road.
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Aurora
Batavia
- City of Batavia website
- Starts: Flushing west of the Fox River is March 28 to April 8, 2016; east of the Fox River is April 11 to April 22
- Summary: Flushing usually takes place from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- For More Info: Visit the calendar pages of the city of Batavia website and look for “Service Schedule.”
Campton Hills
Carpentersville
East Dundee
Elburn
Elgin
- City of Elgin website
- Summary: The Elgin Water Department maintains a hydrant flushing program to maximize water quality and keep Elgin’s 500 plus miles of water main clean. The program also helps identify fire hydrants that may need to be repaired. The flushing is conducted annually between April and June from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
- For More Info: Visit this page or call or email Jeff Luker at (847) 931-6108.
Geneva
- City of Geneva website
- Spring Hydrant Flushing Story
- Starts: April 4
- Summary: City of Geneva will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the community for a four-week period starting Monday, April 4 as part of an ongoing maintenance program. Hydrants will be flushed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
- For More Info: Contact Bob Van Gyseghem, City Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, at 630-232-1551 or via email at bvangyseghem@geneva.il.us.
Gilberts
Hampshire
Huntley
Kaneville
Lily Lake
Maple Park
Montgomery
- Village of Montgomery website
- Summary: Crews will be flushing water mains in the village and unincorporated Boulder Hill Subdivision during the weeks of April 11, 18, and 25, 2016. This procedure clears sediment from the water distribution line, helps maintain water quality, and verifies proper operation of the hydrants. Residents are encouraged to refrain from washing laundry when flushing is done in or near their neighborhood as the temporarily discolored water may cause laundry staining. Residents should also run their cold water taps first to clean out any sediment that may enter the water lines inside the homes
- Schedule: Public Works crews will flush hydrants from approximately 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily according to the following schedule:
- Week of April 11: Areas east of Orchard Road to Hill Avenue (includes Parkview Estates) and north of Route 30 (Seasons Ridge) up to Ashland Avenue.
- Week of April 18: In unincorporated Boulder Hill, South of Route 30 to Circle Drive West and from Route 25 to Douglas Road; within the Village of Montgomery, Lakewood Creek West, Fairfield Way and Foxmoor.
- Week of April 25: Areas west of Orchard Road to Dickson Road and from Galena Road to Jericho Road, including: Montgomery Crossings, Lakewood Creek, Blackberry Crossing, Blackberry Crossing West, Huntington Chase, Balmorea, Orchard Prairie North, and Saratoga Springs.
- For More Info: If you have any questions about the hydrant flushing program, or any other Public Works service, please contact the Public Works Dept. at 630/896-9241.
North Aurora
Pingree Grove
Sleepy Hollow
South Elgin
- Village of South Elgin website
- Summary: Village crews perform hydrant flushing twice a year. Spring flushing begins in early May and fall flushings begin in early November. Signs are posted in each neighborhood one day prior to flushing. Typically, flushings are performed between 2 p.m. and 6 a.m. to alleviate any inconvenience to motorists and residents. Temporary pressure changes and discolored water may occur during or immediately following a flushing. The water is safe, however, it may display a rust color and stain laundry.
- For More Info: If you have additional questions, please feel free to call Public Works 847-695-2742.
St. Charles
- City of St. Charles website
- Starts: April 4
- Summary: St. Charles is divided into four quadrants for hydrant flushing: Main Street (Illinois Route 64) divides the north/south quadrants, and the Fox River divides the east/west quadrants. General flushing hours are 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flushing schedule:
- Northwest Quadrant – Monday April 4 – Friday April 8
- Southwest Quadrant – Monday April 11 – Friday April 15
- Southeast Quadrant – Monday April 18 – Friday April 22
- Northeast Quadrant (West of Dunham Road) – Monday April 25 – Friday April 29
- Northeast Quadrant (East of Dunham Road) – Monday May 2 -Friday May 6
- For More Info: Visit the My Neighborhood section of the city’s website, enter your address and click on the City Services tab. Signs announcing hydrant flushing operations also will be posted in the area prior to flushing.
Sugar Grove
Virgil
West Dundee
