CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
125 LOCUST STREET
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
DPW Urges Flushing Pipes Before Reopening
As we anticipate the reopening of buildings within the city in the coming weeks, water quality within vacant buildings may be compromised due to a period of low or no water usage since mid-March. The Northampton Department of Public Works recommends flushing your water service prior to the reopening of your building in the following manner:
Flush both hot and cold water through all points of use (e.g., showers and sink faucets) for several minutes.
Flush in segments (e.g., floor by floor, individual room by individual room) depending on facility size and water pressure.
The purpose of building flushing is to replace all water that may have been sitting inside the building piping with fresh water from the city’s system. Flushing pipes will help avoid potential health risks.
For more information and recommendations on ensuring high water quality, visit the Center for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html
Please contact the Northampton Department of Public Works at (413) 587-1570 with questions.
