Is your tap water discolored this week west of the Narrows? Here’s what’s happening
Tap water in parts of Gig Harbor might be a different color this week.
Crews flush the city’s pipes a couple times a year to get rid of rust and sediment. This is one of those weeks, city officials said in a social media post Monday. That water-main flushing can briefly discolor water.
“This week city staff will be flushing on Stinson Avenue, Rosedale Street from Harborview Drive to Shirley Avenue, and then moving to the Vernhardson corridor from Crescent Valley Drive to Peacock Hill Avenue between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,” the post said.
Crews put up signs in the neighborhoods they’re about to flush to let residents know what’s coming.
“The program proactively ‘flushes’ or cleans water mains to remove mineral buildup of iron and manganese that cause water discoloration,” the city’s social media post said. “These minerals are considered ‘secondary contaminates’ by the Department of Health and are not a health hazard.”
The city’s website explains how water main flushing works and what residents should know.
Among the advice: Residents should run cold water for a few minutes if they see discolored water, and they should make the first laundry they do after water main flushing a load of dark clothing. The website also says that water pressure might be lower than usual during flushing.
Residents can call the Public Works Department at 253-851-8406 for additional information.
