Water System Flushing Begins October 19th in Southeast Newberg

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Water System Flushing Begins October 19th in Southeast Newberg
October 9, 2026

hydrant flushingStarting October 19, City of Newberg Public Works crews will begin flushing water lines in neighborhoods east of Hess Creek and south of Highway 99W, within city limits. This is a routine part of our ongoing work to deliver the safest and highest quality drinking water to our community.

What is hydrant flushing, and why do we do it?During flushing, crews open fire hydrants to create high water flows that scour fine sediment out of the mainline pipes. It also gives us a chance to check that hydrants and valves are working properly, which helps keep firefighting capability strong when it matters most.

What can you expect in your neighborhood?If you see a crew flushing a hydrant on your street, please hold off on running tap water, the washing machine, or the dishwasher until they have finished. Crews will be out in the roadway, so if you spot them while driving, please slow down and treat them like any other road construction crew. We appreciate you helping keep our team safe.

What about discolored water?Sometimes sediment stirred up during flushing makes its way to household taps. If your water looks cloudy or discolored, there is no health hazard. It only affects appearance, not taste or water quality. Here is what we recommend:

If you notice discolored water, turn the water off and wait several minutes. Then run your cold water tap for a few minutes to let fresh water work its way into your pipes. If it runs clear, you are good to go. If not, wait a bit longer and check again. In some cases, slight discoloration can linger for a few hours.

A couple of other helpful tips:
avoid doing laundry during scheduled flushing times, and if you must, wait until the water runs clear and wash a load of dark clothes first. If your water pressure or volume seems low afterward, check your faucet screens for trapped particles.

Questions?We are happy to help. Call Public Works Maintenance at 503-537-1234 or visit www.newbergoregon.gov/connect. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to keep Newberg’s water system clean, reliable, and ready to serve you.