**CITY OF TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

Residents in the areas of Gatineau Blvd. and Denise St. can expect to see City employees flushing fire hydrants over the next couple of days. Flushing in the Gatineau Blvd. area will take place Tuesday, May 28, and in the Denise St. area Wednesday, May 29, both commencing at 8 am.

While this activity normally takes place city-wide in the spring, the work has been temporarily put on hold due to existing natural water levels. However, this operation is required in these isolated areas in order to enable crews to prepare hydrants for this coming construction season.

Crews of two are required to complete the work as the equipment is heavy and awkward for one person, and to ensure the safety of staff around the high levels of water pressure.
Homeowners and businesses may experience short-term loss in water pressure or experience brown or rust-coloured water following the testing. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with the discoloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn off your tap for 10-20 minutes in order to allow the crew to complete the test. Once the test is complete and the work crew has left the area, turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.

Members of the Environmental Services Department will also make efforts to notify areas of high impact (such as restaurants, daycares, schools and seniors’ residences) when they are in the area.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 or email servicetimmins@timmins.ca. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.

Filed under: Local News