Public fire hydrants throughout the city of Ocala are currently being flushed to improve water quality and ensure that they are working properly.
R & M Service Solutions, LLC, on behalf of the City of Ocala Water Resources Department, will perform the fire hydrant flushing on weekdays (Monday through Friday), between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to a press release from the city.
The flushing of the fire hydrants is scheduled to conclude in mid-December.
The city flushes each public fire hydrant once a year, and the process involves opening a hydrant and releasing water from it for approximately 15 minutes. Water in the main water line is then released, along with sediment such as residual lime, which is dissolved in drinking water and naturally builds up in the water distribution system.
Ocala residents may see leftover white, chalky powder left on lawns or roadways after a hydrant is flushed. This white powder is residual lime. It is not harmful to human health or the environment, and it will wash away with rain.
Residual lime is excess dissolved lime that is left unused in the water-softening process. According to the city, residual lime coats the inside of all water mains and provides a protective layer between water traveling through the pipe and the pipe wall.
For more information, contact the City of Ocala Water Resources Department at 352-351-6772.