City begins annual Water Main Cleaning Program today
WINNIPEG - MAY 09, 2005 - The annual Water Main Cleaning Program begins today. Crews will be working through the area shown on the map seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until late September.
Diane Sacher, Manager of the City’s Water Services says, “This is a seasonal program to clean water mains in different areas of the city each year. There are about 2,400 kilometres of water mains in Winnipeg. We plan to have all the water mains cleaned by late 2007 to be ready to carry treated water from our new water treatment plant.” The program started in 2003.
Water mains are the underground pipes that carry water from the water pumping stations to each street. The water mains are cleaned by forcing water through them at a high speed and discharging it through hydrants into sewers. This water flow scours sediment from inside the mains. It takes about 30 minutes to one hour to clean the water mains on each street.
Sacher adds, “Residents should not use their water or flush their toilets while we are cleaning the water mains on their street.” This will help prevent sediment from entering the water pipes in their building, and getting into water filters, washing machines, hot water tanks, etc.
Residents will be notified when the water mains are being cleaned on their street:
- An information package is delivered to each address one or two days before the cleaning.
- Signs are placed at either end of the street while cleaning is in progress.
- Blue flags are placed in the front yard of homes just before cleaning begins, and the flags are removed after cleaning is finished.
Business operators and property managers/landlords will:
- Receive an information package one or two days before the cleaning.
- Will be contacted before and after cleaning.
For more detailed information on the Water Main Cleaning Program, visit winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/water/maincleaning.stm
Last update: 09.05.2005
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