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Water Mains Flushing Programme

Current flushing areas

All current flushing areas are listed on the main news section

Why we flush:

When water leaves the treatment works it is delivered through a network of distribution pipes made of cast iron, plastic or cement. The Bristol Water supply area covers nearly 2,400 square kilometres serving over one million people and businesses through a network of 6,500 kilometres. Water quality is strictly regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and it is our responsibility to deliver high quality water that meets DWI standards.

Bristol Water currently carries out more than 700,000 water quality tests annually. Flushing is carried out to clean the water mains by removing sediment that may be present in the pipe. Rust deposits, mostly iron and manganese, build up on the inside of the water mains and flushing the water through at high pressure can remove these deposits and ultimately improve the quality of the water supplied to our customers.

The opportunity is also taken to check on the condition of fixtures like hydrants and valves and repairs are made where necessary. As water mains are flushed, customers may notice a temporary reduction in water pressure and possible water discolouration. You may also notice the flushed water flowing into the drains. This does not mean we are wasting water, though, as carefully controlled volumes are used in the process. Preparatory work will be carried out prior to the flushing minimising disruption to customers. Samples of water will be taken before, during and after the work has been completed to monitor the water quality.

Signs are put out a minimum of 72 hours before we begin flushing in an area to advise customers of the work. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this project may cause but can assure you that this work is being carried out to prevent future problems and ensure you have the highest quality drinking water at all times.