Winter Garden fire hydrant flow testing begins in December

Come December, the Winter Garden area fire hydrants will be undergoing a series of flow testing.

Beginning the first week of December, the Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department will begin fire hydrant flow testing. 

The department, made up of 63 total personnel covering a city of approximately 18 square miles, said the important preventative maintenance activity serves several purposes. 

Not only does the process ensure all the city’s fire hydrants are functioning properly and identifies any needed repairs, but it also helps maintain the city’s water quality by flushing all of the lines, and removing sediments from the system.  

According to the fire rescue, residents may notice a brief reduction in water pressure and some discoloration of the drinking water.  

The department assured that discolored water poses no threat to the public’s health.

In addition, residents should be certain all discolored water is out of their home’s plumbing prior to laundering clothes or drinking.

Residents that notice discolored water coming from their fixtures should allow the water to flow from their cold water side for several minutes. 

Although residents may experience some temporary inconveniences, the fire rescue said the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for firefighting.

The testing is expected to run through mid-February. 

Those who experience continued loss of pressure or water discoloration should contact the Public Services Department at 407-656-2256.