The following is adapted from the Fairfax Water website on February 17. Please visit them for the latest information.

Why Flushing is Needed

Each spring, Fairfax Water flushes its water mains by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. We do this to maintain the high water quality in our distribution system. You will likely notice Fairfax Water personnel in your neighborhood operating hydrants from late March through June.

During this time, our treatment process switches from using combined chlorine to free chlorine. This will begin February 20, 2023, and last through May 15, 2023, for customers in the City of Falls Church.

Possible Change to Taste or Odor

You may notice a chlorine taste and odor in your drinking water during the flushing, while free chlorine is utilized. This is temporary. 

If you are especially sensitive to the taste and odor of chlorine, try keeping an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator. This will enable the chlorine to dissipate, thus reducing the chlorine taste. Remember – drinking water has a shelf life! Change out the water in your refrigerated container weekly.

Aquariums and Ponds

If you have an aquarium or pond, always test the water you add to your aquatic environment to be sure it is free of chlorine before adding fish or other animals. Chemical additives with directions for removing either free chlorine or chloramines from water for use in fish tanks or ponds are available at pet/fish supply stores.

Fairfax Water Employees

You will be able to recognize our employees by a number of identifiers:

• Fairfax Water employees will be driving vehicles identified with the Fairfax Water logo
• Fairfax Water employees will be displaying a sign that identifies the employee as part of the Fairfax Water flushing program
• Fairfax Water employees will be wearing uniforms with the same Fairfax Water logo

Flushing may result in temporary discoloration and the presence of sediment in your water. These conditions are not harmful and should be of very short duration. 

If you have questions about this program or the work being conducted in your area, you may call our dispatch operator any time of the day or night at 703-698-5613 (TTY 711).