Tempe to flush water system

Tempe, Ariz. – The City of Tempe is beginning a flushing program as part of a regular water quality maintenance effort.

From about 7-9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, water will be released from hydrants at two Tempe locations: the Rio Salado Parkway and Loop 101/202 interchange; and in the area of Palmer Park, near College Avenue and Carter Drive. The water is released from the hydrants into retention areas or storm drains. Streets in these areas will not be closed or restricted as a result of the effort. Water releases may also involve different locations or additional days, which have not yet been determined.

Tempe’s Water Utilities Department is charged with meeting drinking water standards established in the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. High winter and spring runoff, coupled with recent heavy monsoon storms, have increased the levels of organic compounds in the surface water that Tempe treats for delivery to customers. When these organic compounds react with the chlorine used to disinfect the water, they produce byproducts that must be kept under federally accepted levels. In order to reduce the byproducts, cities regularly turn to flushing fire hydrants to remove them from water systems.