Plymouth is gearing up to combat murky spigots and safeguard waterways with the start of its annual street-sweeping and pipe-purging ritual, the city announced. The effort aims to keep the streets devoid of pollutants and flush out the sediment clogging the city's water mains.
To help maintain a high level of water quality, Plymouth crews will begin annual water main flushing in mid-April.
— City of Plymouth, MN (@PlymouthMN_gov) April 10, 2024
Residents may notice discolored water throughout this time, but it is more likely on days where flushing is nearby. If water is discolored, residents should let… pic.twitter.com/8BU4O5yKHP
This meticulous operation prevents unwanted debris from storming into the storm sewers and contaminating Plymouth’s aquatic bodies. In March, city crews started the street cleaning process, intending to quickly follow suit with the flushing of the water mains in mid-April, as detailed in a city statement.
As part of the water main flushing regimen, pipes in industrial and residential areas will be purged in stages. The schedule kicks off April 15 through 17 in industrial zones bordering I-494 and rolls on until late May, with the focus on residential districts bisected by the interstate.
Homeowners might need to temporarily deal without pristine water, with discolored H2O as a likely scenario while the maintenance takes place. Residents are advised to check out the exact dates for their neighborhoods at the city's website or reach out via phone. They've been tipped to run water until it's clear, especially before tackling laundry, the city recommended.
In their quest to protect Plymouth's waters, the city doesn't lightly take the task of keeping their streets clean. Each year, a staggering 1,200 tons of materials are scraped up from roadways to prevent them from mucking up local lakes and streams, the city boasted.
