Orange water department begins fall hydrant flushing

The Orange Water Department announced Oct. 16 that its fall fire hydrant flushing will run on weekdays from Oct. 19 through Nov. 20. The department said flushing will actually begin a day later than originally advertised, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, rather than Monday, Oct. 19.

On Oct. 20, crews expect to flush hydrants on Lake Mattawa Road, Walnut Hill Road, Coombs Avenue, Charles Street, the west end of West River Street, Oaklawn Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, Terrace Street and Hamilton Street on the south side of town.

The flushing program has been posted on bulletin boards at Town Hall and the Water Department, advertised in the Athol Daily News before starting, and posted on sign boards at the two main intersections in the center of town. The department is also posting local signs showing the next day's expected flushing area and updating its notice daily.

The department said the maintenance must be done at routine intervals to keep the water system operating properly and noted it causes short term discoloration as settled mineral deposits in the pipes are stirred up and removed. System flushing also allows for operational checks of fire hydrants, the department said.

Residents with questions about discolored water can review the state's guidance on water color, taste and odor. The department asked residents to check its notice for daily updates on expected flushing areas and thanked them for their patience during the process.

Source: Town of Orange announcement, October 16, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.