FAQs • Storm Lake, IA • CivicEngage

Should I stop using water when crews are flushing hydrants in my neighborhood?: Citizens can continue to use water during the flushing program as they normally would. However, they should know that if crews are flushing hydrants in their neighborhood at the same time they are using water they may experience a decreased in water pressure while the flushing is being completed. This decreased in pressure is normal and to be expected. The pressure should resume immediately following the completion of flushing.

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Hydrant Flushing Program

1. Is the City's water safe to drink?: Yes, the city’s water is safe to drink. The City of Storm Lake is required to maintain safe drinking water as determined by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Tests are conducted on a daily basis to ensure compliance with these safety regulations. Additionally, annually the City of Storm Lake issues a Water Quality Report outlining the city’s water and it’s compliance with the state and federal regulations. Copies of this report can be found on the City of Storm Lake web page or a copy is available for public review at the Storm Lake Public Library and Storm Lake City Hall.

2. My water is a rusty color after they flushed, what should I do?: Following flushing there is a possibility that residents and businesses may experience some rusty colored water. If you experience rusty water you should run cold water from the cold water faucet nearest the water meter in your home or business. This will effectively flush the waterlines inside your home and remove the red or rusty colored water. If you still have rusty colored water after several minutes of running cold water you can call the City of Storm Lake at 712-732-8002 to report the problem.

3. Why does the City flush hydrants?: The City of Storm Lake like many other communities in Iowa and around the country have an annual flushing program to test and ensure adequate pressure at fire hydrants around town. Additionally, the flushing program allows the City to move water through the city’s water mains at a rapid rate helping to maintain water quality.

4. What is a Hydrant Flushing Program?: A Hydrant Flushing Program is a program conducted by the water utilities where crews open up the fire hydrants and allow water to flow out of them for the purpose of testing the water pressure at that location and to identify potential problems in the distribution system. Each hydrant is run for a period of time while crews perform the tests. Usually the program is conducted during the late evening and early morning hours to minimize the inconvenience on the water user.

5. Should I stop using water when crews are flushing hydrants in my neighborhood?: Citizens can continue to use water during the flushing program as they normally would. However, they should know that if crews are flushing hydrants in their neighborhood at the same time they are using water they may experience a decreased in water pressure while the flushing is being completed. This decreased in pressure is normal and to be expected. The pressure should resume immediately following the completion of flushing.