The City of Bellingham will begin its annual water main flushing Monday, April 3, and will continue through June.
When flushing is underway, residents and businesses may experience discolored water and reduced water pressure, according to a March 28 news release.
Bellingham Public Works Department said the water is safe to use despite discoloration, although it might stain white laundry.
Public works recommends running a cold tap in a bathtub until the water turns clear to get rid of discoloration, which is a result of mineral deposits (mostly iron).
Flushing the water mains is done annually to clear these mineral deposits inside pipe walls after they’ve built up over time. This process prolongs the efficiency of the city’s water distribution system.
According to public works, the city is unable to provide a schedule for when each neighborhood can expect to have its pipes flushed. Still, maintenance is set to begin in the northwest corner of Bellingham and proceed southwest, and will occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Wet streets in a neighborhood can indicate that water main flushing is underway.
