Citywide Hydrant Flushing

Updated July 8, 2025

Citywide Hydrant Flushing Program

Background

American Canyon conducts routine hydrant flushing and valve exercising throughout the city to maintain water quality and system efficiency. Fire hydrants are opened to allow a high volume of water to flow through the mains, helping to remove particles and minerals that accumulate over time. This essential maintenance ensures proper water flow for fire protection and better water quality from treatment plants to your tap.

The mobile home park at 260 American Canyon requires special coordination as the City serves the park as a single customer, with Teresa Gordon (MHP Manager) handling all resident communications. Water Division will be performing routine fire hydrant flushing and valve exercising within the City utility easement at this location from July 14-18, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily. Residents may experience temporary discolored water and should run cold water taps for 5-10 minutes until clear. In case of emergency valve repairs, water service may be interrupted for 6-8 hours. For mobile home park questions, contact (707) 647-4364 or waterpayments@americancanyon.gov.

If you experience water discoloration:

  • Run water from an outdoor hose bib for five minutes
  • Then, run cold water indoors for a few minutes
  • If discoloration persists, call (707) 647-5325

Emergency Water Service Outage: During valve exercising, if a valve breaks, it could cause a water service outage for 6 to 8 hours. After service is restored, residents may need to flush their cold water taps for approximately 10 minutes to clear any discolored water.

Current Status

Hydrant flushing is now complete in zones 1-6 throughout American Canyon. Service has returned to routine operations and maintenance in these zones. Hydrant flushing in the Mobile Home Park will begin on July 14. During flushing, residents and businesses may notice temporary water discoloration. To prevent stains on light-colored laundry, we recommend postponing laundry while flushing is actively occurring in your zone.

Upcoming: Mobile home park hydrant flushing scheduled for July 14-18, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. daily

Zone

Areas Included

Status

Zone 6

All properties located North of Airport Road, west of N. Kelly and S. Kelly Road

Completed

Zone 5

All properties within the Green Island Road industrial area; north of Eucalyptus Drive, west of SR 29, and south of Airport Road

Completed

Top of Zone 4

All properties located east of SR 29, including Main Street, Eucalyptus Drive, South of Napa Junction Road, including all businesses north of Holiday Inn Express and south of Tractor Supply

Completed

Zone 3

All properties located west of SR 29, north of American Canyon Road and south of Eucalyptus Drive

Completed

Zone 1

All properties located East of SR 29, north of city limits, south of American Canyon Road

Completed

Zone 2

All properties located west of SR 29, north of city limits, south of American Canyon Road

Completed

Remainder of Zone 4

All properties located east of SR 29, north of American Canyon Rd and south of Napa Junction Road

Completed

Mobile Home Park

260 American Canyon Mobile Home Park

July 14-18, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Hydrant Flushing Zone Map

 

Why is hydrant flushing necessary?

Hydrant flushing is a routine maintenance activity that helps remove particles and minerals from the water mains. Over time these deposits can build up, which requires more chlorine to maintain safe drinking water, increases treatment costs and affects taste. Deposits can also react with chlorine, leading to unwanted byproducts. Flushing hydrants helps remove these accumulations and ensure better water quality from treatment plants to your tap.

Which areas are part of the Hydrant Flushing Program?

Flushing occurs throughout the American Canyon Water Service Area in six zones. The process generally begins in the industrial area north of the city and moves south. A detailed schedule and zone map are available in the table above.

What impacts should residents and businesses expect?

Hydrant flushing may cause temporary water discoloration in affected areas. This occurs due to accumulated particles and minerals being stirred up and discharged through the hydrants. While the water remains safe to use, residents should check water clarity before doing laundry, especially with white clothing. Discoloration typically clears within a few hours after flushing is completed.

Is this a waste of water?

No, this program is a necessary investment in water quality. The process uses roughly 0.74% of American Canyon's annual water supply, ensuring minimal impact while maintaining a clean and efficient water system.

Why don't we capture and reuse the flushed water?

Capturing high-velocity flushed water is not practical or cost-effective. While mobile treatment units exist, their high upfront costs make them an inefficient investment for this program.

Does hydrant flushing harm the wetlands?

No. Flushed water is dechlorinated before being discharged into storm drains that flow through our watershed to San Francisco Bay. These tablets are environmentally safe, though they may cause harmless bubbling, giving the water a soapy appearance.

Who should I contact for additional questions?

For more information, please contact (707) 647-5325. Visit us in person at 4381 Broadway, Suite 201, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).