By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Bay Minette residents may notice an occasional change in the color and pressure of their tap water for the next couple of months, as the Bay Minette Fire Department and North Baldwin Utilities partner to test the city’s fire hydrants.
During Wednesday’s regular meeting of the North Baldwin Utilities Board, NBU General Manager Jason Padgett announced that test of the hydrants started Monday “and will continue through the end of the year.”
However, upcoming holidays have been taken into consideration.
“We won’t flush during the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Padgett said.
The general manager explained that hydrant flushing is an annual procedure that clears city water lines of sediment and other residue accumulated over the last 12 months. Plus, it provides additional services for both NBU and the Bay Minette Fire Department.
“It benefits us by moving old water out of the lines,” Padgett said, explaining the fire department’s benefit by the procedure. “The fire department makes sure the hydrants are working properly, and it tests their ISO rating.”
The hydrant flushing will be limited to within Bay Minette city limits, he added.
As previously stated, the trade-off for residents is periodic change in water pressure and color.
“While displeasing in appearance, this does not indicate the water is unsafe,” Padgett said.
But he does offer advice.
“As an extra precaution, please run water from your tap until clear before drinking or using it to cook,” Padgett said in a written statement. “Since discolored water may cause staining, please refrain from doping laundry until the water is clear.”
The general manager said Bay Minette residents with questions about the hydrant flushing should call NBU at 580-1626 or the Bay Minette Fire Department at 580-2552.
