The following announcement is from The Cambridge Water and Fire Departments. – Tim

THE CAMBRIDGE WATER AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WILL BE CONDUCTING ANNUAL FIRE HYDRANT MAINTENANCE AND FLOW TESTS BETWEEN APRIL 28 AND JUNE 20, 2014

Maintenance and testing will be conducted between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Hydrant testing is performed to ensure operability and to identify and repair those hydrants requiring maintenance. In addition to hydrant testing, crews will be performing water main flushing. Approximately 25 hydrants will be tested in each area, each day.

Hydrant testing may disturb the sediment that naturally occurs in the water piping system. Water from your faucets and toilet may appear rust colored from this disturbance. Rust discoloration may last for several hours after the tests have been completed. Discolored water does not usually present a health hazard, however; the Water Department recommends that anyone who has doubts about the rust colored water should not drink it. You may wish to store tap water or two-gallon containers in your refrigerator for the day of the test.

We also suggest that the residents check their water before doing laundry because the discolored water may stain your clothes. If your laundry is stained, the Water Department will provide you with a wash additive to remove the stains.

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If you would like to know when the hydrants are being tested in your neighborhood, please review their schedule here. You can also follow the Cambridge Water Department on Twitter and Facebook, or call the Cambridge Fire Department at 617-349-4921 between 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM for daily test locations. If you have any questions on water quality, please call Mr. Ed Dowling, Laboratory Manager, Cambridge Water Department, (617) 349-4780.

Tim