Seeing discolored water in Bellingham? It’s probably this annual city work

Rachel Showalter
·2 min read

Bellingham city crews began annual water main flushing on Monday, April 3, and residents may notice discolored water while flushing is underway.

The water is not unsafe to use but the mineral deposits — mainly iron — could stain white laundry. Residents may also notice temporarily reduced water pressure while crews are working in their neighborhood, though water service is not expected to be shut off. Running cold tap water for a few minutes will likely clear any discoloration, according to Public Works spokesperson Amy Cloud.

The goal of water main flushing is to clear the mineral deposits that naturally build up inside pipes. This has to be done yearly to maintain the capacity and efficiency of the city’s water distribution system, according to Tyler Rouse, a utility employee with the city.

Water that is flushed out of the main is treated with de-chlorination tablets before being discharged into the city’s storm drainage system. Streets will likely be wet while flushing is underway.

City utility worker Tyler Rouse attaches a hose to a fire hydrant for water main flushing on Tuesday, April 4, in the Columbia neighborhood of Bellingham. The work can cause temporary water discoloration that is not harmful, according to the city.
City utility worker Tyler Rouse attaches a hose to a fire hydrant for water main flushing on Tuesday, April 4, in the Columbia neighborhood of Bellingham. The work can cause temporary water discoloration that is not harmful, according to the city.

Flushing started in Bellingham’s northwest neighborhoods and will move southeast. The work is being done between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Some areas may take longer due to the condition of the water main and sometimes we experience emergencies that take us away from the flushing schedule. We’re also doing our regular ongoing maintenance and development work while the flushing is underway; that could impact the flushing schedule at times,” Cloud wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

The city follows a grid map during water main flushing but can’t predict exactly when crews will be in any given neighborhood, according to Cloud. Though, the city plans to share general schedules each week as part of the City’s “Inside Bellingham Weekly” news release.

“We do understand and appreciate the frustration of customers who’d like to plan things like laundry or other chores around knowing when we might be flushing in their neighborhood,” Cloud told The Herald.

The flushing continues through June.

City utility worker Tyler Rouse holds a map on Tuesday, April 4, that shows hydrants in the Columbia neighborhood of Bellingham. The city began its annual water main flushing on Monday, April 3.
City utility worker Tyler Rouse holds a map on Tuesday, April 4, that shows hydrants in the Columbia neighborhood of Bellingham. The city began its annual water main flushing on Monday, April 3.