Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Fairfax Water to begin flushing fire hydrants

A hydrant is flushed. [Fairfax Water]

If your tap water tastes like chlorine, don’t worry, says Fairfax Water. It doesn’t affect the quality of the water.

Fairfax Water will soon begin flushing its water mains by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. This is done every year to maintain water quality.

During this time, Fairfax Water’s treatment process switches from using combined chlorine to free chlorine.

People bothered by the chlorine taste and odor are advised to keep an open container of drinking water in the refrigerator.

Flushing might also result in temporary discoloration and the presence of sediment in the water. According to Fairfax Water, these conditions are not harmful and should be of very short duration. 

Hydrant flushing will begin Feb. 20 and last through May 15 for customers who receive water from the Washington Aqueduct, which includes Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners.

For the rest of Fairfax County, including Annandale and Lincolnia, the flushing will be done between March 20 and June 12.

During the flushing period, Fairfax Water employees will be in neighborhoods opening hydrants and flushing out the water. The employees will be driving vehicles, wearing uniforms, and displaying a sign with the Fairfax Water logo.

Questions can be directed to the utility’s dispatch operator, 703-698-5613, at any time, day or night.

3 responses to “Fairfax Water to begin flushing fire hydrants

  1. “If your tap water tastes like chlorine, don’t worry, says Fairfax Water. It doesn’t affect the quality of the water.”

    That’s the most governmenty statement I’ve read all week.

    If your house smells like smoke, it’s totally cool, go back the bed, says Fairfax Fire Dept.

  2. Have to say – in spite of the ilk elected including the school board and most of the BOS, Fairfax has great water; great police and great fire dept…maybe the aforementioned folks will just quit and leave us residents to enjoy what works in Fairfax and not tax us for what doesn’t – see e.g. homeless, social, woke programs….

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