The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to remind residents that all fire hydrants within the District are tested annually as part of routine maintenance to ensure they remain fully operational and ready for use in the event of an emergency.
“Testing hydrants is an essential part of our comprehensive maintenance program, ensuring that this infrastructure is functional and ready for use when required by fire departments and emergency responders,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “This regular task is a significant responsibility we uphold to provide the highest quality water and ensure it is always accessible for our community.”
These annual inspections are an important measure to uphold the reliability of the PWD’s water infrastructure. During this routine maintenance the District performs pressure tests at each hydrant. These tests are performed by briefly opening up the hydrants to check that adequate flow and pressure is available throughout the PWD’s service territory. By conducting these tests, the District ensures that each hydrant meets performance standards and is prepared to assist our first responders.
“The District’s exceptional staff are highly trained in all aspects of maintenance, particularly in routine hydrant testing,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “This testing is a fundamental component of our annual procedures, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of our infrastructure and facilitating its ongoing enhancement. We extend our gratitude to the District staff for maintaining system integrity and consistently ensuring that our district exceeds all standards.”
While the hydrant maintenance is being performed, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration primarily consists of harmless minerals that have built-up in the distribution system over time. Residents can rest assured that it does not affect the safety of the water. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been testing hydrants in your neighborhood, it is best to run your cold water tap at the lowest point of your home for approximately two minutes or until it clears up.
“As this maintenance occurs annually, the District will consistently notify residents in advance,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “During the time of maintenance, residents may notice temporary discoloration in their water, which is harmless and will resolve quickly. We encourage any residents with questions about their nearest hydrant to contact the District, as we are glad to assist.”
In the event of any power outage, the Plainview Water District has its own emergency electrical generator facilities, which are regularly maintained and always on standby to keep water flowing in the event of a severe weather event. These generators keep pumps and treatment facilities online without interruption. In addition, District staff members are well trained to handle a diverse list of emergency situations.
In addition, the PWD encourages residents to sign up for the Plainview Water District’s emergency notification system. The District’s reverse-911 system, provided by Rave Mobile Safety, is capable of delivering urgent messages directly to residents via phone, text or email. By having residents submit their most up-to-date contact information, the District’s reverse-911 system will be able to contact residents and business owners with information regarding water-related emergencies. All information is securely stored in District databases and is only used in the case of an emergency.
If you have general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.
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