Watermain cleaning program Frequently Asked Questions

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Municipal Office

395 Mulock Drive P.O. Box 328 Station Main, Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 4X7
905-895-5193

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Watermains are underground pipes that carry water from the source to your street and ultimately to the service pipes connected to your house. The goal of the Town of Newmarket's Watermain Cleaning Program is to minimize the occurrence of discoloured water and ensure customers receive the freshest water possible by removing accumulated material from the watermains.

What is watermain swabbing?

Watermain swabbing is a form of pipe cleaning that involves inserting a foam sponge – or 'swab' – into the watermain through a fire hydrant. The diameter of the swab is slightly larger than the watermain and it is pushed along through the watermain using water pressure. As it passes through the watermain, the swab clears any sediment that has built up inside the watermain.

Can I use the water while the watermain on my street is being cleaned/swabbed?

No. Please refrain from using your water when your street is being cleaned/swabbed. Many people find it useful to turn off their main water shut-off (at the water meter) before swabbing begins to avoid any inadvertent running of the water – which may result in discoloured water/sediment being drawn into your internal plumbing. People also find it helpful to bypass any softening or filtration equipment that may automatically draw water.

How does the Town's Water Department notify customers affected by the program?

The Town uses a number of methods to inform customers of planned cleaning/swabbing areas:

Hand-delivery of notices to each affected residence at least 24/48 hours in advance
Information posted on the Town's website and on social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook
Mobile electronic signboards in the neighbourhood that is undergoing maintenance that day

What should I do when the watermain on my street is being cleaned/swabbed?

Before the scheduled operation begins, you should:

It is recommended that you turn off your water valve, located next to the water meter to prevent water use during this time
Fill a clean container with tap water for drinking and cooking (store in fridge)
Complete all dishwashing, clothes washing and other water-use activities
Fill your bathtub with water for use around the house (you may use a pail to transfer water from the bathtub to your toilet bowl to allow your toilet to flush)
Shut off any bypass or irrigation equipment that may automatically draw water. This includes water filtration equipment, furnace-mounted humidifiers and water softners.

During the period that swabbing is underway, you should:

Avoid using water for any purpose

After the swabbing has finished for the day, you should:

Bypass any filtration equipment, furnace-mounted humidifiers and water softeners before turning on any water.
Run the cold, hard (unsoften) water tap closest to your water meter (usually located in the basement) until the water is clear. Or, if your garden hose does not go through your softener, you can irrigate your lawn or garden until the water is clear.
If the water remains discoloured, continue to flush cold water (run the water taps) until it is clear. If your remains discoloured for a long period of time, please contact the Town of Newmarket for assistance at 905-895-5193 and press 3 to reach our after-hours service.
If you experience lower-than-normal water pressure after the maintenance is complete, please verify if it is at just one tap, or throughout your home. If it appears to be at one location only, try removing and cleaning the aerator (screen) at the tap and run the water until it clears.
If you experience lower-than-normal water pressure or no water after the cleaning is complete, please call the Town at 905-895-5193.

Can I drink the water?

Once the normal water clarity has returned, all normal uses can be resumed, including drinking the water.

I am noticing a strange odour and taste in my water.

At times, water can have an unpleasant odour, taste, or appearance. These aesthetic characteristics usually do not pose a public health threat and, in most cases, they do not last long. However, a sudden change in colour, taste or odour of your tap water could indicate changing water characteristics, if you notice taste and odour, flush the cold water tap nearest the water meter. If the taste and odour persist, please contact the Town of Newmarket at 905-895-5193.

I noticed red/brown coloured water from the swabbing/flushing program flow into the stream, is that safe for wildlife?

The red/brown coloured water is from iron that has built up in the watermain. When conducting watermain swabbing and flushing programs, the iron is removed and as a result you may notice discoloured water flow into the catch basin and into the stream.

Prior to the water flowing into the catch basin and stream, any chlorine residual is removed. While aesthetically unpleasing, the discoloured water presents no harmful effects to the wildlife in the streams.

How long will it take to clean the watermain on my street?

Generally, multiple streets identified will be completed within the scheduled day. Work is typically completed within 12 hours and includes set-up and removal of the equipment.

Why is the Town performing watermain cleaning again?

In order to ensure the highest quality of water for our community, Newmarket water and wastewater staff routinely performs watermain spring-cleaning programs to do a thorough cleaning of the watermains as part of proactive routine maintenance and best practices.

Some areas of the Town's water distribution system will need to be cleaned more frequently then others depending on the water age and how fast the water is travelling through the watermains. When water is moving slower through the watermains, there is a higher potential of iron and sediment build-up, therefore a thorough water main swabbing technique is required to clean the watermain.