Water mains are underground pipelines that distribute water to various users including residences, businesses and fire hydrants. Although the water entering the mains meets all state and federal standards, the pipelines must be regularly maintained to avoid deterioration of water quality.
Water main flushing is the process of cleaning or “scouring” the inside of the pipes by sending a high-velocity flow of water through the system. This is conducted by opening hydrants and releasing water at the speed of up to 5 feet per second to remove deposits built up inside the mains.
Flushing is a crucial preventative measure that helps to maintain the capacity of the pipe and to protect water quality by removing minerals and sediment deposits from inside the mains.
Water main flushing is also necessary to comply with requirements set by the California Department of Water Resources Control Board.
Due to the drought and the pandemic, complete system flushing has not been conducted by the Scotts Valley Water District since 2017. In consideration of the continuing dry spell, the District will be implementing a hybrid approach, which comprises of cleaning a portion of the system in addition to dead-end pipes.
Flushing will occur in the District service area starting Monday, March 14. A street-by-street schedule is posted below so customers can be informed of possible impacts to their water service, including reduced water pressure. Water is safe to drink, but customers are advised to keep water turned off during flushing. Customers are asked to avoid using hot water to prevent sediment from getting into the hot water tank and postpone doing laundry because the stirred-up sediments in water could discolor clothing.
Water used in flushing flows through equipment that removes chlorine before it is discharged into the storm drain system. The flushing uses approximately 2 million gallons of water, which is about 0.5% of the total annual water use in Scotts Valley Water District service area.
FLUSHING SCHEDULE (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily)
Week 1, Monday to Friday, March 14-18: Green Hills Rd, Sawbuck Ct, Single Spur Ct, Sidesaddle Ct, Glen Cary Ct, Gregory Ct, Glen Canyon, Sunridge Dr, Oak Creek Blvd, Lucia Ln, Kirkorian Ct, Kentwood Ct, Green Tree Wy, Angela Ct, Suzanne Ct, Kelly Wy, Quien Sabe Rd, Kelly Ct, Shasta Park Ct, Lassen Park Ct, Saddleback Ridge Rd, La Cuesta Dr, Torrey Oaks Ct, La Madrona Dr, El Pueblo Road, Cathy Ln, Siri Ln, Kent Ct, Woodhill Dr, Civic Center Dr, Erba Ln, Terrace View Dr, Terrace View Ct, Acorn Ct, Whispering Pines Dr, Arabian Wy, Carriage Ln, Morgan Ct, Appaloosa Ct, Quarterhorse Ln, Shadow Ct, Lundy Ln, Bluebonnet Ln, Oak Cir, Pine Ct, Azalia Ct, Mountain View Dr, Valley View Ct, Canyon Wy, Bean Creek Rd, Lockhart Gulch Rd, Green Valley Rd, Lucinda Ln, King’s Village Shopping Center, Town Center HOA, Skypark Subdivision, Lockhart Gulch, Lockwood Ln.
Week 2, Monday to Thursday, March 21-24: Dunslee Wy, MacLeod Wy, Johnston Wy, Willis Rd, Butler Ln, Sunflower HOA, Coopers Hawk Ct, Tuscany Ct, Venice Wy, Milano Ct, Fox Sparrow Ct, Golden Eagle Ct, Fred Ct, Purple Hills Ct, Sageland Ct, San Augustine Rd, Hacienda Dr, Grace Wy, Nadia Ct, Country Ln, Deer Trail Wy, Ridgecrest Ln, Ridgecrest Dr, Meadow Wy, S. Navarra, 300 block of Southwood Drive, Sherman Ct, Scott Ct, Sucinto Ln, Sunset Terr, Skyforest Wy, Ginger Ln, Cider Ct, Hansen Ter Deerfield Dr, Kerry Ct, Elderberry Ct, Scotts Valley Dr, Cabernet Ct, Bordeaux Ln, Tabor Dr, Bethany Wy, Bethany Dr, Canham Rd, Summerhill Ln, Sandhill Rd, Glenwood Stables, Stonewood Dr, Shaketree Ln, Northridge Dr, Glenwood Dr, Woodlander Pl.
Week 3, Monday to Wednesday, March 28-30: Cielo Dr, Jonathon Wy, Gaffney Wy, Highgate Rd, Hilltop Wy, Sunset Terr, 200 block of Southwood Dr, Sramek Ln, Traci Ct, Granite Creek, Sawyer Ct, Hwy. 17, Crescent Drive, West Vine Hill Rd, Charles Hill Rd, and any areas missed due to emergencies.