The Village of La Grange Department of Public Works will begin its annual Hydrant Flushing Program the week of March 19, 2012 and is expected to complete the work by the end of April. This year crews plan to flush hydrants both during the day and night, Monday through Friday, depending on the location of the hydrant, traffic patterns and other factors. Signage will be posted on streets notifying residents where the crews will be working in advance of flushing activities.
This is an important water system activity. Its purpose is two-fold. First, flushing the system purges sediment which has accumulated on the bottom of water mains. By clearing the mains, we improve water quality and mitigate the occasional mineral deposit which can make its way into a service line and stain/discolor laundry. Second, this activity serves to exercise valves to ensure their proper operation in the event high flow is needed for emergencies such as a fire.
Immediately following the flushing of your nearest hydrant, you may notice temporarily discolored water (iron and mineral sediments). While the water is safe, you should run your faucets several minutes to draw in clear water prior to doing your laundry. It is preferable to run faucets that do not have strainers or aerators (commonly found on the kitchen sink and bathroom sink faucets.) Most basement laundry tub sinks and bathtubs do not have such devices and are desirable to flush out your home’s water lines. If you are interested, more information regarding the quality of the Village’s water supply can be found in the Village's Annual Water Quality Report
If you have any questions, please contact Mike Bojovic, Assistant Director of Public Works, at (708) 579-2328. We thank you for your patience during this process.