FAQ

Flushing Information

You may notice Water Department crews working at hydrants and see water running down the street. Your first thought may be that we are ignoring our own philosophy of conserving water. We flush water lines using hydrants, which is an important preventive maintenance activity. Although it may appear to be a waste of water, the process is part of a routine maintenance program necessary to maintain the integrity of the water system allowing us to continue to deliver the highest quality water possible to our customers.

As a result of the line flushing process, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and air that does not affect the safety of the water. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been flushing in your neighborhood, clear the pipes in your home by running your cold water faucets in your home for a few minutes. We recommend using the tub or outside faucet.

The same philosophy of water line preventive maintenance is one that you should use in your own home to ensure the quality of water inside your home. Your home's water heater should be drained and flushed on a regular basis, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, to keep it working effectively and efficiently.

9*SEMIANNUAL FLUSHING PROGRAM INFORMATION*

FALL FLUSHING BEGINS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2025!

MONDAY 4/7/2025 AND CONTINUING FOR APPROX. 6-8 WEEKS

MON - THURS 9AM - 3PM & 7PM - 11PM

FRI 9:00AM-12:00PM OR 9:00AM - 3:00PM (TBD WEEKLY)

*EVENING FLUSHING 7PM-11PM IS TBD WEEKLY*

During this flushing process, you may experience rusty water. If this should happen, run your cold water until the water runs clear.

Avoid doing laundry if your water is discolored. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. The flushing program is necessary to purge the water mains.

***ABINGTON & ROCKLAND RESIDENTS: Updates are texted out daily via the Rockland Notify Me Alert System. Sign up to receive flushing notifications and more from ARJWW (choose the notifications you wish to receive, via text or email, by checking off the corresponding boxes). The ARJWW information line 339-469-1427 and our website is also updated daily by 9:00am. Check back for any changes or updates.

FALL FLUSHING

WEDNESDAY 10/8/25

ROCKLAND - FLUSHING IS COMPLETE

Abington FLUSHING IS COMPLETE

Please check back for updates or call the main office line 781-878-0901.

Thank you

Flushing FAQs

Why does the water system need to be routinely flushed?

The Towns water distribution system is a complex network of pipes and storage tanks where sediment and deposits may naturally accumulate over time. If not removed, these materials may cause water quality deterioration, taste and odor problems, or discoloration of the water. Water may also stagnate in lesser-used parts of the distribution system. This can result in degraded water quality.

When does flushing occur?

Flushing takes place twice per year (Fall and Spring) for approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Flushing crews will be working during the day between 9 am through 3 pm There are some days where evening flushing is needed. When necessary, crews work during the hours of 7 pm through 11 pm on Monday through Thursday. Fridays crews flush 9 am through 12 pm.

Where can I check for a schedule and updates?

Please check our website for schedule changes and updates. You can also sign up for email and text alerts through your respective Town Hall website.

What should I do when I see town crews flushing hydrants in my area?

If you see Water Department crews flushing hydrants, you may want to delay any laundry washing until the crew is finished and you have checked your water for discoloration.

What should I do after the flushing?

If the tap water is used during flushing, it could come out full of sediment and discoloration. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running the cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again. We recommend using the tub or outside faucet to clear the line. In some cases, you may experience slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.

Conservation

How can residents help to conserve water?

The following information is provided by the American Water Works Association:

1980s vintage toilet (1980 to 1992) uses 3.5 gallons per flush
50 to 75% of all residential use occurs in the bathroom
Average dishwasher uses 17 gallons per wash
The average faucet uses 3 to 5 gallons per minute
Average water consumption 90,000 gallons per year or 246 gallons per day (according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency)
A compact washing machine uses 31 gallons (per 7 pounds of wash, 4.4 gallons per pound)
Displacement bags save 0.6 gallons per flush
Faucet aerators reduce flow by 1 gallon per minute
A low consumption toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush
Low-flow showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute or less
A stackable washing machine uses 32 gallons (per 7 pounds of wash, 4.6 gal/lb)
A standard (pre-1980) toilet uses 4.5 to 7.0 gallons per flush
A standard domestic washing machine uses 45 to 55 gallons (18 pounds of wash, 2.7 gallons per pound)
Standard showerheads use 4 to 7 gallons per minute
Valve retrofit kits save 1.0 to 1.5 gallons per flush
Water-efficient washing machine uses 20 gallons (1.1 gallons per pound)

Backflow & Cross Connection Program

What is a cross connection?

A cross connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a nonpotable substance to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply.

Examples

Common examples of cross-connections include:

Connections to firefighting equipment
Garden hose submerged in a pesticide mixture
Piped connection providing potable feed water to an industrial process, such as a cooling tower, or a submerged outlet of an irrigation system

Most cross-connections occur beyond the customer service connection, within residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial plumbing systems.

Identifying Cross Connections

Identifying cross-connections can be challenging because many distribution systems are expanding to serve new customers and changing to accommodate customer needs. Further, temporary and permanent cross-connections can be created in existing facilities without the knowledge of the water system managers and operators.