Wait until your water utility confirms flushing is complete, then follow its specific instructions. There is no universal household procedure: Toronto and Calgary both recommend a 10-minute cold-water flush but name different taps, while Currituck County describes a different sequence after some disruptions.
Before you flush, check the utility’s notice
Use the instructions for your address and the specific event. A scheduled water-main flush, a water-main break, a service interruption and lead-service-line work can call for different steps; do not combine procedures written for different situations.
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During Toronto’s scheduled flushing, the City says, “Do not turn on your taps or flush your toilets.” It explains that doing so could draw sediment into household pipes, the water meter, hot-water tank or filters. Toronto also advises turning off delayed-use appliances such as dishwashers, coffee makers and sprinklers during the work. Wait for the utility’s completion notice before running water.
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Follow the local procedure once work is complete
| Utility and situation | What the guidance says to do |
|---|---|
| City of Toronto, scheduled water-main flushing | Remove tap aerators. Run cold water for 10 minutes from the basement laundry-room tap, or the tap nearest the water meter and main shutoff valve. City of Toronto Watermain Flushing Program |
| City of Calgary, water-main flushing | Run a bathtub tap on cold for 10 minutes, until the water clears. City of Calgary water-main flushing guidance |
| Currituck County, after a water-main break or hydrant flushing | Start at the highest tap without an aerator, then open other faucets one at a time while moving downward through the home. The county cautions against using a hot tap for this cold-line flush. Currituck County water-quality guidance |
These are examples of local directions, not interchangeable options. Use the fixture, sequence and endpoint specified by the utility serving your home; if its notice is unclear, contact the utility before flushing.
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Use cold water first when flushing cold lines
When the local instruction calls for a cold-line flush, use cold water rather than sending sediment through the water heater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Residential Flushing Procedure Handout says that flushing cold taps before hot taps helps prevent sediment from being pulled through the heater, where it could become trapped. That handout describes a more extensive procedure than some routine utility notices; it is not a substitute for your utility’s event-specific directions.
Remove and clean aerators when directed
If the utility tells you to remove faucet aerators or screens, take them off before flushing. Rinse away loose debris under running water. For debris caught in the screen, the EPA handout suggests gently brushing with a spare toothbrush. For hard-water buildup, it describes soaking in distilled white vinegar for 20–30 minutes, then rinsing. Reinstall the aerators after flushing.
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A replacement is not automatically needed. New York State’s lead-service-line replacement instructions advise considering replacement if an aerator is old or worn; that guidance concerns a different, more extensive event. If you cannot loosen an aerator by hand, a suitable aerator key or wrench may help, but it is optional.
If the water remains discolored or service is abnormal
If water does not clear after the flush recommended by your utility, contact the utility rather than repeatedly trying a generic household procedure. Do the same if pressure or service remains abnormal, or if the notice gives additional steps. Toronto advises reporting persistent discolored water and calling 311 for a long-lasting loss of water.
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Check for current utility alerts and any public-health order. A routine water-main flush is not the same as a boil-water advisory, and the reviewed guidance does not establish a universal rule that water is safe to drink after every flush in every jurisdiction. Follow the current local notice, including any instructions issued by public-health authorities.
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