SE Grand Rapids News

City of Niles issued the following announcement on Mar 17.

The City of Niles will be flushing hydrants during the day, starting Monday, April 18, 2022.  Flushing will begin at 7:30am and continue until 3:00pm each day through Friday, April 22, 2022.  The City of Niles hopes that the hydrant flushing will not be an inconvenience to our customers.  However, some customers may experience discoloration of water and, to reduce any problems this may cause, the following advice is offered.  

• Do not wash laundry between 7:30am and 3:30pm.  Before you start, run your water until the temperature of the water changes to cold.  In doing so, you should be able to detect red water before you start your wash.  
• If you experience red water in your wash, do not dry the load of clothes; leave them wet.  A powder may be obtained at no charge from the Utilities Department Office that will remove stains.  Do not use bleach to remove iron stains as this will oxidize the stain and make it impossible to remove.  
• Although the City of Niles provides water to your residence, persistent red stains could be coming from your own house plumbing, especially if your pipes are galvanized.  
• You should flush your water heater at least two times a month, more frequently if you have experienced red water.  
• You should apply an approved iron removal chemical to your water softener's mineral bed.  
• Maintain aerators on faucets, and clean inlet screens on washing machines.  
• If you experienced red water in your laundry at a time when the Utilities Department Office is NOT open, you can obtain iron removal products at supermarkets and drug stores.  If you cannot find polyphosphates, oxalic acid can be purchased at drug stores. 

The tentative schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 18th- Valving will be conducted and flushing started at 19th to 13th Streets, Industrial Park, Carberry Road, Lake to Howard Street, and North 5th to Pucker Street.  

Tuesday, April 19th- Flushing will continue at 19th to 13th Streets, and Howard to Main Street.  

Wednesday, April 20th- Flushing will be conducted from 13th to 5th Streets and Wayne to Fort Streets.  

Thursday, April 21st- Flushing will be conducted from 5th to Front Streets, Wayne Street to downtown, and Marmont Street to downtown.  If time permits, they will also begin on the west side of Niles.  

Friday, April 22nd- Flushing will be completed on the west side of Niles.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 269-683-3901 ext. 1310.

Original source can be found here.