Pittsburg fire department to begin flushing, testing fire hydrants

Pittsburg, KS – Starting Wednesday, April 6, the Pittsburg Fire Department, in coordination with the Pittsburg Public Utilities Department, will begin flushing and testing fire hydrants in neighborhoods across Pittsburg.

Fire personnel will start from the north city limits, including the airport, and move south to 4th Street between the east and west city boundaries until completion.  The fire department estimates that it will take a couple of months to test the nearly 1,300 fire hydrants inside the city limits.

Why flush and test hydrants?

Flushing removes harmless minerals and sediment that can collect in the water mains and ensures water quality for Pittsburg residents. Testing the hydrants provides the fire department with flow data, which helps to identify the best hydrants to access when responding to fire-related emergencies.

Fire hydrant testing is a requirement for the city’s ISO (Insurance Service Office) score, which measures the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of cities. The City of Pittsburg currently has an ISO rating of 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. The ISO score is given to insurance companies, who use it to establish insurance rates for residential and commercial properties.

Discolored Water:

Pittsburg citizens should be advised that the testing and flushing of hydrants can cause water to appear discolored for a short amount of time. While there are no health hazards associated with this, it is best to avoid washing white clothing while the flushing occurs, to avoid the possibility of stains.

If residents encounter discolored water following hydrant flushing, it is recommended that they run the cold-water taps throughout their home (bathroom sinks and tubs, kitchen faucets, etc.) for five to 10 minutes until the water runs clear. This allows discolored water to work its way out of household plumbing.

For more information, residents can contact the Pittsburg Fire Department at (620) 231-1870.

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The mission of the City of Pittsburg is to provide exceptional services, facilities and activities with integrity, professionalism, excellent customer service and a commitment to economic vitality.