Getting Optimized

PARTNERSHIP FOR SAFE WATER GUIDELINES

Flushing Maintains Distribution System Water Quality

BY BARB MARTIN AND TOM RIES

Previous Getting Optimized columns have focused on main breaks, disinfectant residual, and to respond to customer complaints.
and pressure monitoring, which are the Partnership for Safe Water’s primary monitoring Conventional and unidirectional flush-
parameters for distribution system self-assessment and optimization. Distribution sys- ing are common distribution system flush-
tem lushing, which can signiicantly affect distribution system water quality and per- ing methods. Conventional flushing entails
formance, is another operational variable that inluences distribution system operation. opening one or more fire hydrants and
allowing the water to run until sediment

T
he Par tnership for Safe
Water’s distribution system
self-assessment evaluates
performance, design, operation,
and administrative factors. Primary
performance criteria include disinfectant
residual, pressure, and main breaks. The
parameters selected for the self-assessment
process are known as Performance
Improvement Variables. Distribution
system flushing is one of these parameters.
THE VALUE OF FLUSHING
Distribution system flushing is an oper-
ational tool that helps reduce water age
and address water quality problems. Flush-
ing increases the velocity and quantity of
water through a portion of a system. At
high velocities, flushing can scour pipes to
help remove sediment, scale, and biofilm.
Also, increased amounts of water passing
through pipe can reduce water age and
improve water quality.
Flushing may be performed for many
reasons and in a variety of ways. For
example, routine flushing usually is part
of an overall flushing strategy. Corrective
flushing may be conducted on an as-
needed basis to address nonroutine water
quality issues or emergency situations
or poor-quality water is removed. Conven-
tional flushing differs from unidirectional
flushing in that no valves are closed to
increase the velocity of water through the
mains, making it less effective at cleaning
the mains. Conventional flushing is usually
done in response to water quality com-
plaints, to help maintain adequate chlorine
residuals in low-flow areas, or for a variety
of other operational reasons.
Unidirectional flushing moves high-
velocity water in a single direction through
pipes, improving hydraulic and water qual-
ity conditions. Unidirectional flushing pro-
vides control that can help minimize water

CA S E ST U DY

FLUSHING PROGRAM SAVES WATER

Maintaining distribution system water quality should be a primary
focus for all water utilities, and a well-planned flushing program
can help accomplish that goal.
Because of severe drought and based on water quality test
results, customer complaints, and the public’s perception of “wast-
ing water,” Aurora (Colo.) Water suspended its unidirectional flush-
ing program in 2002. Instead, the utility developed a proactive
routine flushing program to address areas of concern. The utility
developed a comprehensive list of areas that routinely experienced
low chlorine-residual levels.
The utility has a looped system, but some areas have dead-ends
or low-flow areas, resulting in lower chlorine-residual levels. Utility
staff members visit these sites weekly to test total chlorine residu-
als and flush if necessary. If a site’s residual levels are lower than
the utility’s established 0.50-mg/L goal (also the Partnership for Safe
Water’s minimum total chlorine residual goal), the site is flushed until
an acceptable residual level is achieved. If chlorine levels have been
restored and remain acceptable for two consecutive weeks, testing
and flushing frequency may be extended to a biweekly schedule. If
the residual continues to be acceptable, testing is extended to every
four weeks and then to every eight weeks. If the site has maintained
an acceptable residual for three consecutive bimonthly tests, it’s put
on an inactive list, which is reviewed annually.
As staff becomes aware—through plan review, system model-
ing, water quality testing, customer complaints, or other means—
of other areas of potential problems, the sites are tested and, if
necessary, placed on the active list. This procedure ensures the
program remains dynamic and enables utility staff to make data-
driven decisions.
For remote locations or areas requiring more frequent flushing,
automatic flushing devices may be examined and installed. Aurora
Water also performs unscheduled corrective flushing as needed
for nonroutine water quality issues, emergency situations, and cus-
tomer complaints.
Aurora Water has developed standard operating procedures
(SOPs) for all aspects of testing and flushing. Staff is trained on the
SOPs, which are reviewed annually and updated as needed.
All flushed water is accounted for as part of the utility’s water-
loss reporting program. The utility’s flushing programs have proved
to be effective in maintaining distribution system water quality.

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2014 © American Water Works Association
 http://dx.doi.org/10.5991/OPF.2014.40.0040

Barb Martin manages the Partnership for Safe Water

at AWWA (www.awwa.org), Denver. Tom Ries manages
the Operations and Maintenance Division at
Aurora Water (www.aurorawater.org), Aurora, Colo.

consumption during the flushing process. target velocities, flushing controls, cus- If flushing is performed in response to
Water velocities achieved during flushing tomer notification, and dechlorination specific water quality concerns, such as
usually reach a minimum of 2.5 ft/sec but requirements as well as routine flush- low chlorine residuals, it may be help-
can be as high as 10 ft/sec to effectively ing frequency and how frequency is ful to field-monitor water quality param-
move water and scour pipes. determined. Flushing SOPs should be eters, such as disinfectant residual, color,
The method selected depends on the reviewed and updated regularly. Distribu- or turbidity, so operators can verify flush-
program’s application and objective. This tion system field staff should receive reg- ing effectiveness. Water quality analysis
column applies to either technique. ular training based on flushing SOPs and should be incorporated in flushing SOPs.
other procedures. If automatic flushing When flushing is complete, observations
CREATE A PLAN devices are used, protocols should define should be recorded in a utility database.
Comprehensive planning is a key com- when and how the devices are used and
ponent of a successful flushing opera- maintained. MEET GOALS
tion. A specific objective for the flushing A well-planned flushing program is
operation should be determined, and that MONITOR FLUSHING important to maintaining distribution sys-
objective should drive plan creation. Flushing operations should be monitored to tem performance and water quality. By
Problem Areas. Analyzing customer ensure they’re conducted effectively. Time setting objectives, planning, developing
complaints or disinfectant residual data is commonly used as a control for ensuring system-specific procedures, and monitor-
may help identify distribution system adequate volumes of water pass through ing the flushing process, utilities can meet
areas requiring flushing. When an area a flushed pipe to achieve objectives. water quality and performance goals.
is targeted, a distribution system hydrau-
lic model may be used to develop a plan
that ensures thorough flushing. Such a
plan usually identifies pipe sections to
be flushed, hydrants to be accessed, and
valves that must be opened and closed
during flushing. The plan may also indi-
cate optimal times of the day or season
in which to perform flushing. The plan
should also consider affected areas and
the need for customer notification.
Component Functionality. A flushing
event’s success depends on the functional-
ity of distribution system components used
in the flushing process such as hydrants
and valves. Before flushing begins, criti-
cal valves should be located, if necessary,
and exercised to confirm functionality. A
scheduled and documented valve exercise
program is a component of optimized dis-
tribution systems.
Hydraulic Modeling. Use of a system’s
hydraulic model to develop a successful
flushing plan depends on model accuracy.
The hydraulic model used to create a flush-
ing plan should be updated or calibrated
and accurately reflect the current system.
Procedures. Standard operating pro-
cedures (SOPs) are recommended for
routine and corrective flushing. SOPs
should be system specific and address

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2014 © American Water Works Association