Frequency
To ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water while meeting the CDPH state requirements, CVWD field maintenance crews conduct their Flushing Program annually. The process requires crews to flush each hydrant or water line for approximately one minute, or 400 gallons of water, each time.
CVWD conducts the Flushing Program throughout the course of the year, except during the months of July, August, and September.
Process
While CVWD is required to perform this annual program, the district remains mindful of the amount of water being used during this process. Water flushed from the lines is not wasted. Depending on the area being flushed, water may be flushed into the district’s collection system, where it will be conveyed to the Inland Empire Utilities Agency wastewater treatment facility, treated to a level acceptable to the CDPH and returned to our system as recycled water.
If the collection system is not within reach, the flushed water will run into the San Bernardino County Flood Control Channel and then disperses into local recharge basins (basins designed to capture runoff and surface water) allowing the water percolate into our groundwater aquifers where we can extract this water at a later date.
The percolation process acts as a natural filtration system, cleaning the water as it is stored in the aquifer.
Purpose
In order to guarantee all CVWD customers receive high quality water, it is necessary to flush water lines. While this task uses water, CVWD makes every effort to manage water use efficiently and avoid water waste.
Working together, the CVWD and all of our customers can use water efficiently to guarantee our community has the water needed for everyday life.