Fire Hydrant Maintenance
Every summer Strathcona County employees open fire hydrants in order to flush out the pipes. This removes sediments that collected in the water lines. Fire hydrants are also thoroughly inspected to ensure that they are operating properly in case of an emergency.
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Flushing is a process where water is pushed through the pipes at a high pressure to remove any build up that may be in the lines. The water is then released through fire hydrants. The materials being flushed are harmless and require no further treatment.
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There may be a temporary reduction in water pressure while flushing is occurring in your neighbourhood. Your tap water may also appear cloudy. This is only due to air in the pipes, but the water is completely safe to drink.
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Although it may look like a great amount of water, water flushing only accounts for one percent of annual water usage.
You are welcome to fill buckets with the expelled water to use for watering gardens, washing cars or other uses.
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Maintenance and flushing begins in June and runs until the end of September and occurs during regular working hours.
Clearing snow around fire hydrants
If there is a hydrant near your home, please clear snow or ice at least 60 cm (2 ft) from around the hydrant. That way, in an emergency, Emergency Services' crews can find and access the hydrant with the greatest possible speed. Those few extra seconds or minutes could make a world of difference in an emergency.
Landscaping around fire hydrants
Fire hydrants require at least a 3.5 metre setback from the centre of a tree trunk to a fire hydrant. Please refer to Design and Construction Standards, Section 6 (Open Space Standards) under section 6.12.1.9 for more information.
Utilities
Phone: 780-467-7785
Email: scutilities@strathcona.ca