Lombard, IL – The Village of Lombard will begin its annual hydrant flushing program on Tuesday, Sept. 2, weather permitting, as part of routine maintenance to ensure water quality and system reliability. The program is scheduled to last about six weeks, with crews working Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Some overnight flushing will also occur to limit traffic disruptions.
According to the Lombard Public Works Department, hydrant flushing helps remove mineral and sediment buildup in water mains, ensures hydrants are operating correctly in emergencies, and provides important data to confirm the system’s ability to meet daily and fire protection demands.
During the program, residents may temporarily experience lower water pressure, discolored water with a reddish tint caused by iron deposits, or cloudy “milky” water from air bubbles, which typically clears within minutes. Officials stressed that these changes do not impact water safety.
The flushing will follow a weekly zone schedule, beginning Sept. 2 with Zone 1 in the north-central portion of the village. Work will progress through Zones 2–6 over the following weeks, covering neighborhoods in all sections of Lombard. A detailed flushing map is available on the village’s website to help residents track when crews will be in their area.
Residents are advised to run cold water until clear if discoloration occurs and to avoid doing laundry during active flushing in their neighborhood. Public Works staff also recommend checking water clarity in a laundry sink before starting a wash load and flushing older pipes daily during the program.
For safety, officials caution residents not to drive or walk through water flowing from hydrants, as the pressure could damage vehicles or cause injury. Parents are asked to keep children away from hydrants during flushing.
More information and the full schedule can be found at villageoflombard.org/hydrantflushing.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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