Have you noticed that your tap water isn’t as clear as usual? The cloudiness is temporary and easy to fix - it's likely the result of water main flushing.
COQUITLAM, B.C., December 6, 2024 – Have you noticed that your tap water in Coquitlam isn’t as clear as it usually is? Don’t worry—it’s likely the result of water main flushing, and the cloudiness is temporary and easy to fix.
Coquitlam flushes a third of its water mains from fall to spring each year on a rotating basis to maintain good water quality. The process involves moving large volumes of water through distribution pipes to clean out sediment and mineral buildup. Water main flushing work happens during the day and may cause changes in water pressure, and the water can look cloudy for a little while after the flushing is complete.
Find out when water main flushing is happening in your neighbourhood by viewing the online map at coquitlam.ca/WaterMain.
Fixing Cloudy Tap Water
During flushing the water is still safe to drink, but you can clear up cloudy water by following these simple steps:
- Run the cold-water tap for a few minutes until it runs clear.
- Ideally, run the cold-water tap in a bathtub to avoid clogging up faucet screens.
- Do not run the hot water until the cold water has cleared up to keep cloudy water out of the hot water tank.
Delivering High-quality Drinking Water
Water main flushing is a common maintenance practice for water utilities to maintain clean drinking water and protect the significant public investment in water infrastructure. Residents can view the 2023 Drinking Water Quality Report and more information about our water supply at coquitlam.ca/water. The City has also developed an interactive Story Map to show how safe, clean and reliable drinking water gets from the watershed to homes in our community.
Flushing is one of the many activities the City uses to maintain its high standard of drinking water, and year-round maintenance includes:
- Flushing of up to one-third of the City’s water mains each year on a rotating basis, covering more than 100 kilometres;
- A tri-annual reservoir cleaning program is conducted where reservoirs are cleaned and structurally inspected;
- Maintaining chlorine levels to prevent bacteria regrowth in the system;
- Monitoring of sections with reduced water flow, such as dead-end mains; and
- Flushing to improve circulation and residual chlorine levels.
The City also loops dead-end mains into the system whenever opportunities arise through capital projects and new development.
Thanks to this year-round work, Coquitlam residents have access to excellent drinking water right from the tap.
Reducing Water Consumption
Whenever you flush a toilet, take a shower or water your garden, you are using Coquitlam’s high-quality drinking water to do so. The City encourages thoughtful, restrained water use through its Enhanced Water Conservation Strategy which includes public education, the use of groundwater to irrigate parks, enhanced leak detection, Toilet Rebate program, other initiatives and enforcement of regional water restrictions.
Media contact:
Brad Lofgren
Director of Public Works
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.