Georgetown Water Department Reminds Residents to Winterize Outdoor Hose Bibs and Faucets
Utility director Marlene Ladderbush wishes to remind residents to winterize all outdoor faucets and hoses during the winter months to protect their pipes and homes.
“Winterizing all outdoor faucets will help to prevent pipes from freezing or even bursting as we start to enter into the colder months,” Ladderbush said. “We hope these tips will help as you prepare for the winter months and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.”
The Georgetown Water Department wishes share the following tips to help residents winterize hose bibs and outdoor faucets:
- Shut off the valve inside of the house so that no water is actively flowing to the hose bib or faucet.
- Remove the hose from the spigot and leave the spigot on once the water has been shut off. Store all garden hoses indoors to help protect them from being damaged during the freezing weather.
- Purchase a frost-proof hose bib, which can be placed over the spigot to protect it.
Those with further questions may contact the Georgetown Water Department at 978-352-5750.
Georgetown Water Department Announces Start of Leak Detection Survey
Work to be Done During the Overnight Hours
The Georgetown Water Department announces that a leak detection survey will be conducted on hydrants throughout town this week, weather permitting.
Throughout the evening, when water usage is lower and the town is quieter, an employee from Seacoast Water Services in West Newbury will be placing listening devices on hydrants throughout the community to determine if there are any leaks. Work will continue for approximately two weeks and most of the work will be done between 4 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Those with further questions may contact the Georgetown Water Department at 978-352-5750.
Georgetown Water Department Shares Irrigation System Maintenance Tips
The Georgetown Water Department would like to remind residents to check their irrigation systems to ensure they are running properly to help combat the drought conditions communities across the state are facing.
By fixing broken or misaligned equipment for their irrigation systems, residents can make sure that no water is wasted and that no further strain is placed on the water supply for the town.
The following are common problems and repairs from the Environmental Protection Agency that residents should be aware of to ensure their irrigation system is running as effectively and efficiently as possible:
- Sprinklers are prone to breaking during routine lawn and landscaping maintenance or when people trip over them. Some of the key signs a sprinkler head is broken, stuck or clogged are if water is spraying wildly or not at all, or if the head doesn’t pop up.
- Broken water lines can cause your water bill to skyrocket if left untreated. Common signs that a water line may be broken or leaking include depression in the group, water bubbling up or simply a very wet area.
- Water valves should be checked often to ensure they haven’t become loose, causing water to continuously seep out and be wasted.
- Sprinklers should be spaced out properly to ensure the entire yard is being covered. Make sure to place sprinklers so they spray directly onto the landscaping and not onto any nearby sidewalks or roadways.
- If you notice that a section of your yard is being overwatered, adjust the system accordingly.
- Create irrigation zones in your yard so that similar plants are near each other.
- Sprinklers with higher and lower precipitation rates should not be placed in the same zone and positioned so that the water from one reaches the next one to prevent both underwatered and overwatered sections.
More information from the EPA can be found here.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has mandated that the Georgetown Water Department implement water conservation measures. As such, residents will be required to register all in ground irrigation systems, including those using private well water, with the Water Department. All future installations will require a permit. System design and capacity must be included in the permit application.
Those looking to register their irrigation systems can do so by calling Office Manager Christina Bernhard at 978-352-5750 or emailing her at CBernhard@georgetownma.gov.
Georgetown Water Department Announces Fall Flushing Schedule
The Georgetown Water Department announces that it will begin its fall flushing program next month.
Water main flushing will begin during the week of Oct. 5 and continue for approximately five weeks. Work will be done from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the first areas to be flushed will be on the western side of town near the water treatment plant.
The flushing program is done twice a year as part of the water system maintenance, and is intended to help improve water quality and extend the infrastructure’s useful lifespan.
The flushing schedule is as follows:
- During the week of Oct. 5, flushing will be done in the Central Street, Nelson Street, Little Hill, Baldpate Road, Andover Street, West Street, and Lake Shore Drive areas.
- During the week of Oct. 13, flushing will be done in the West Main Street, East Main Street, Elm Street, Tenney street and Searle Street areas. Work will not be done Columbus Day, Oct. 12.
- During the week of Oct. 19, flushing will be done in the North Street and Pond Street areas.
- During the week of Oct. 26, flushing will be done in the Jewett Street and Thurlow Street areas.
- During the week of Nov. 2, work will be done in the Jackman Street and Warren Street areas.
Customers may temporarily experience reduced water pressure while flushing occurs in their area. Normal levels should resume once the work is completed. Customers should note that they may experience some discoloration to their water as a result of flushing, which is conducted in order to remove naturally occurring sediment from underground pipes. Any discoloration will clear in a day or two, and residents can run their water to expedite that process. Customers are advised to avoid doing laundry until water is clear, and to avoid using bleach to remove any flushing related stains because it will make the stains permanent.
For additional information, questions or concerns, please call the Georgetown Water Department office at 978-352-5750.