Foxborough DPW Director: Hydrant Flushing Showing Early Signs of Success

Foxborough’s hydrant flushing program began Monday and it’s already showing signs of success, according to DPW Director Roger Hill.

“We were very successful in obtaining good data for the development of the hydraulic water system model and in cleaning the pipes,” Hill said. “The water system recovered more quickly than we expected and we had only five or six brown water calls Tuesday.”

Hill said the system’s quick recovery is the result of new chemicals that were added to the active wells and the clean water being added to the system from the Witch Pond filtration plant.

Monday’s flushing schedule included the area of Chestnut Street to Morse Street and from the old camp on Oak Street to Morse Street. On Tuesday, flushing occurred on Oak Street all the way to Mechanic Street to Cocasset Street.

“The flushing program will continue until the entire 115 miles of the system are clean. It is expected to last several weeks,” Hill said.

The goal of flushing the hydrants is to remove iron and manganese buildup - which produces brown water in the system – from the water mains.

Water Department Superintendent Robert Worthley said removal of this buildup “is essential for the long-term solution” to the brown water issues many residents have been experiencing in town.

Flushing will occur between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in areas designated by the Water Department on the town’s website, click here for more information on the flushing schedule.

The flushing may result in brown water as the iron and manganese settled at the bottom of the pipes is stirred up and removed from the system.

“Residents are advised that there may be some temporary discoloration of water [brown] or loss of pressure,” Worthley said. “Caution should be used during this time when using filtering systems, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.”

To report brown water, Worthley asks you contact the Water Department at (508) 543-1209.