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KC Water Encourages Businesses to Flush Water Lines As They Reopen

Posted on May 7, 2020

(Kansas City, MO) – Due to the stay at home order caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many buildings have sat vacant for several weeks.  Unused water that has been sitting in pipes for extended periods may appear cloudy or have an unpleasant taste or odor.

“We encourage all customers to flush their lines any time a structure hasn’t used water or has had little to no use for an extended period of time.  The purpose is to replace all water inside building piping with fresh water,” said KC Water Director, Terry Leeds.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance to ensure that building water systems and end-use devices are properly managed after a prolonged shutdown.

Here are a few simple steps customers can follow:

  1. Make sure all faucets in the building flow to a drain. If there are any water filters in the home, remove or bypass them.
  2. For best results, it is recommended that all aerators and screens are removed from every faucet being flushed.
  3. Using the cold-water handles, turn on all faucets – including kitchen and bathroom sinks, utility and mop sinks, bathtub and shower, etc. – and allow them to run during the entirety of the flushing process.
    1. Start with the lowest floor of the home. If the home has a basement, start there.
    2. Move to the next highest floor and turn on all faucets.
    3. Continue until all faucets are turned on in the structure.
  4. At the end of this process, water should be flowing from all the faucets in the building at the same time.
  5. Let the water run until the temperature changes.
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 using the hot-water taps.
  7. Replace any filters and reinstall any aerators and screens that were removed.

For more information, contact Heather Frierson, KC Water Media Relations Coordinator heather.frierson@kcmo.org, 816-513-0280, cell: 816-674-0211

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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area.  KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.

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