FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike McGill
(910) 332-6704
After Hours: (910) 622-8472
Mike.McGill@cfpua.org
communications@cfpua.org
WILMINGTON, NC, May 1, 2014: Beginning Monday, May 5th and continuing through the summer, crews with the Cape Fear Public Utility’s Water Quality Section will be conducting the Authority’s annual flushing program for its 1,100 mile-long drinking water system. As part of CFPUA’s commitment to provide safe, reliable drinking water, its crews flush all of its mains to improve water quality, restore water pressure and protect pipe integrity.
This is the second year CFPUA will conduct the program during the summer months. The move was made for two main reasons: 1) warmer weather can increase the possibility of issues with disinfection byproducts and 2) with the work being conducted at night, conditions are safer for our employees – and our customers - by eliminating the potential for nighttime freezing of roadways and sidewalks.
Flushing is a routine operation, conducted by tens of thousands of water utilities every year. During the work, water is forced through pipes at high velocity and systematically flushed out of the fire hydrants, removing accumulated mineral sediment. Because of the process, it is possible that customers may experience periods of low pressure and/or water discoloration while flushing is taking place in their area. Therefore, it is recommended that customers refrain from washing clothes and minimize water use while flushing is being conducted. Customers who experience discoloration are advised to run the cold water for at least one minute to allow the lines to clear.
In addition to the 1,100+ miles of water mains CFPUA maintains, it is also responsible for more than 7,600 fire hydrants and nearly 15,000 water valves. While CFPUA crews flush the system, they also test large water main line valves and fire hydrants to make sure they are operating properly.
The program work is conducted between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize neighborhood impact. The entire flushing program is expected to run through the end of September. Section maps and updates will be posted on CFPUA’s website, www.cfpua.org, as well as on its Twitter and Facebook pages.
FOR THE MEDIA: If you are interested in getting video or still photos of flushing work, please contact Mike McGill at 622-6704. Because the flushing program takes place at night for the reasons listed above, CFPUA would like to keep any requested demonstrations to the nighttime hours.
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than 1,000 miles of water distribution mains and nearly 1,000 miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org or contact CFPUA’s Communications staff at communications@cfpua.org.