Fire Hydrant Testing Begins Next Week in Russell

The City of Russell Fire Department has announced they will be conducting their annual testing of flow rates of fire hydrants starting the week of April 13.

According to a release from Russell Fire Chief Dylan Riedel, firefighters plan to begin these tests on the north side of town and move south.

Testing will continue throughout April and should conclude by end of May.

Each year, hydrants are tested to find out the GPM rate of the hydrant and to identify any hydrants that may not be operating the way they should.

The most common occurrence from testing hydrants is slight discoloration of tap water within the residence. 

Riedel gives some tips to help when this happens:

• If possible, limit your water use.
• Wait until flushing has subsided in your area, then run the cold water tap until the water runs clear.
• If you have a water softener and are experiencing discolored water, place the unit into regeneration or cleaning mode after hydrant flushing is completed in your area.
• Remember, rust colored water is safe, but it may stain laundry. If this happens, keep clothes wet and treat them with stain remover.

Testing hydrants is an annual requirement to continue to maintain the City’s ISO rating and ensure adequate flow during fires.

If you have any questions, call the City of Russell Fire Department at 785-483-7129.