Sometimes I see City workers opening fire hydrants and letting the water gush out. Aren’t they wasting water?
Periodically, the water department will flush water mains in your neighborhood to help maintain water quality and to “exercise” fire hydrant valves. Rust and grit can build up inside city water lines just like it can in the plumbing in your home. Flushing the lines helps to keep the rust from building up and clogging pipes and hydrants. Generally, the flushing occurs in late winter when the water supply is at its maximum.
