The city of Steamboat Springs’ annual flushing of the water and fire hydrant systems is set to begin as early as Wednesday, March 18 and continue through spring, according to a statement released on Thursday.

The city’s water team will flush the main water line and more than 600 hydrants during the project to remove natural sediment buildup from the system and keep all hydrants and valves functioning as intended. 

During that process, residents may temporarily notice discolored water or changes in pressure. Running cold water from a bathtub tap for 10 to 15 minutes typically resolves the issue; if not, residents are advised to turn off the tub faucet and wait 30-60 minutes before attempting to clear the line again. 

“The flushing process is designed to keep water quality at top levels and ensure that fire hydrants are operational,” said Distribution and Collection System Manager Michelle Carr in the statement. “This annual maintenance is an important step in supporting the overall performance of the system and helping extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure that our community relies on every day.”

Officials also encourage residents to practice water conservation by limiting outdoor use such as car washing or hosing driveways. 

For more information, visit SteamboatSprings.net/Water or contact the city’s Utilities Department at 970‑871‑6303.