The Service Authority’s annual distribution system flushing program helps maintain drinking water quality for our customers while doing no harm to the environment.

Before field crews open a fire hydrant to flush the water distribution system, they temporarily install a de-chlorination device that removes chlorine from the water before it has the potential to reach nearby waterways.

The Service Authority uses these devices on its 12 automatic flushing stations and when a water tower must be drained to enable maintenance to be performed inside the portion of a tank where water is stored. Automatic flushing stations are typically installed at the end of water mains where chlorine levels tend to be a bit lower than in most of the distribution system. 

“We do our very best to maintain nature while we work to maintain our infrastructure,” said Collection & Distribution Department Supervisor C.J. Huppmann.
Why does the Service Authority open fire hydrants in my neighborhood every spring?

The Service Authority flushes the distribution system each spring to maintain water quality. This annual maintenance program helps clear sediment and mineral deposits from water mains and is not related to COVID-19.
 
Crews will be opening fire hydrants located throughout Prince William County for approximately 15 minutes at a time through mid-June. Date ranges and general locations of flushing activity will be posted on the Service Authority’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

To see answers to frequently asked questions about the annual distribution system flushing program, click here. If you have additional questions, please call our Emergency Dispatch Office at any time of the day or night at (703) 335-7990.

You may notice a faint chlorine smell in your tap water during the Service Authority’s annual distribution system flushing program due to the temporary change to free chlorine in the water treatment process. Filling a pitcher with water and leaving it uncovered on your counter will allow the odor to dissipate within a couple of hours.
The Service Authority offers customers with past-due account balances the option to establish payment plans of six to 24 months with no additional fees, interest or other charges. For more information, please call our Customer Service Department at (703) 335-7950 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. To a full list of customer assistance options, click here.
Thank you to our community partners who encouraged customers with past-due Service Authority bills to apply for assistance from the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program. 

Faith-based organizations, schools, businesses and elected officials in Prince William County helped promote the program, which allowed the Service Authority to distribute $1.37 million in relief funds to 2,678 customers who had unpaid bills resulting from the impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

The funding was provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. 

“We are grateful for the relationships we have with our partners in the community,” said Service Authority Board Chairman Jack Kooyoomjian. “They made a huge contribution to the success of this program.”

What inspired you to apply for your position and when were you hired? 
I was working at Home Depot part-time and needed a full-time time job. I started at the Service Authority as a temporary employee in April of 2015 and was hired full-time in February 2016.

What do you like best about working for the Service Authority?
The best thing about my job is having the ability to try new ideas all the time. I also enjoy the company culture and engaging with customers.

What is a typical workday like for you?  
I work in the Infiltration & Inflow Department and we do everything from inspecting sewer lines to installing sewer flow meters inside manholes. 

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? 
My family and I play board games. When it’s warm, we like outdoor activities like riding bikes, fishing, going to the zoo and attending air shows to watch airplanes do stunts.

Did you know?
Dwight and his family plan a trip to a new place every year. They have already been to Europe, Canada, Jamaica and Hawaii and hope to visit England and the British Virgin Islands in the future.
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