Residents in some areas of Germantown can begin flushing their lines.

Residents west of Kimbrough Road to the western city limits, and north of Poplar Avenue to the northern city limits may begin flushing their systems and resume normal use of water. The city urged residents who are not in that area to wait to flush their lines. 

“It is imperative that only those customers wait until their area is released to begin flushing,” the city said. “In order to maintain water system pressure and ensure that there is sufficient pressure for fire fighting operations, we again request that the community follow the phased flushing process before returning to normal consumption. Your cooperation will help ensure that the flushing process goes smoothly.”

Flushing method for homes

Flushing will help remove water that has been standing in interior pipes.

Those who have who do not detect a diesel odor when they turn faucets on should let the water run for five minutes.

Some Germantown residents can flush their own lines

Those who smell the fuel from flushing or previously caught the scent should follow a more thorough process:

• Open a few cold water taps and run for 15 minutes to clear the residential water line from the main
• Open cold taps one at a time and run for five minutes to clean each specific line. The city said to begin nearest to where water enters the building and then move to farthest tap. Repeat for all cold taps.
• Then do the previous two steps, but with hot water. To flush a water heater, fill a bathtub twice.
• The city encouraged any dishes or clothing washed during the restriction be rewashed.
• Devices using water, such as ice-makers, may require additional cleaning.

The order to begin flushing lines comes about a week after Germantown advised residents to limit their water usage only for flushing toilets.

Jessica Comas, the suburb’s communications manager, said sediment and discoloration of water is likely when residents begin flushing their lines due to the city’s hydrant flushing process. 

To see a map of water restoration area, click here.