By paNOW Staff

City’s hydraulic flushing on hold until spring

Sep 20, 2016 | 3:48 PM

Issues with water distribution valves have put the city’s hydraulic flushing program on hold.

The program began two weeks ago but stopped today after contractors discovered several valves needed to be installed or repaired.

“The difficulty is in dealing with a water distribution system that is over 100 years old and for the first time we are doing a hydraulic flushing of the entire system,” Public Words Director Amjad Khan said. “We are discovering non-operational valves that require repair or valves that weren’t in the drawings as this is the first time an extensive program such as this has ever been done. To be able to do the unidirectional flushing properly we need the ability to fully open and close all the valves in the system.”

Of the roughly 2,716 valves across the city’s distribution system, Khan estimates over 70 require maintenance.

In a media release, Communications Manager Alanna Adamko said the city will work throughout the season to inspect all valves throughout the distribution system, make necessary repairs and ensure all are tallied within city drawings.

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The flushing program is expected to resume in spring 2017.

Before flushing paused, 47 per cent of Zone 1 was completed. The remainder of the zone along with Zone 2 will be completed when the program returns.

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