Trucked Services - Tank Cleaning and Water-flushing Schedule and Instructions

Public Service Announcement

Trucked Services - Tank Cleaning and Water-flushing Schedule and Instructions
October 22, 2021 – Iqaluit, Nunavut

 

Government of Nunavut is advising residents on trucked services who have not already done so, to clean and flush their water tanks according the schedule below.  To alleviate strain on trucked services delivery, the City will implement a neighbourhood water-flushing schedule. Residents on piped services (utilidor) will asked to flush their pipes and water tanks at a later date.

 

Residents who are in Government of Nunavut Public Housing will not be affected by this schedule, as the City of Iqaluit is working directly with Government of Nunavut regarding these homes.

 

Steps to cleaning and flushing water tanks:

 

Step 1:  Identify your neighbourhood in the water flushing schedule below

Step 2:  Empty your water tank by 10AM on the scheduled day. See flushing instructions below.

Step 3:  Place the door hanger, provided by the City, on your exterior door knob – green side facing out.

 

This applies for residents on trucked-services only.

 

Water-flushing Schedule (two opportunities)

 

• Saturday, October 23, 2021 – Apex and Federal Road (1300s – 1800s)
• Sunday, October 24, 2021 – 2400s, 2500s, 2600s, Happy Valley, Lower Iqaluit and West-40

 

For those that miss the October 23, 24 dates.  Alternative dates are available.

• Saturday, October 30, 2021 – Apex and Federal Road (1300s – 1800s)
• Sunday, October 31, 2021 – 2400s, 2500s, 2600s, Happy Valley, Lower Iqaluit and West-40

 

On the days that your neighbourhood is asked to participate in the water-flushing process, please empty your water tank completely dry. Once your tank is empty, you will also need to turn off your pump within your household.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During your designated date and time, please use the following guide to flush your tank system:

 

Flushing your tank system:

 

1. Flushing cold water taps
   • Isolate any point-of-entry treatment unit (e.g. filter, water softener), prior to flushing.
   • If there is a point-of use filter, remove the filter cartridge and replace with a new one after flushing (e.g., carbon pre-filter on a reverse osmosis system).
   • Start by running the cold-water faucet closest to the entry to the house. Then sequentially open remaining cold-water taps moving progressively away from entry include bath tub taps. Run the water for a total of 20 minutes.
   • Remove and clean aerators where possible.
   • If a bathtub has a tap and showerhead, direct the flow through the tap.
   • Flush each toilet once.
   • Flush all outdoor taps for 10 minutes.
   • After flushing all taps, direct the flow from the bathtub tap to the showerhead if applicable.

 

2. Flushing hot water taps and water heater (tank or on-demand)
   • Run the hot water taps, beginning with the one closest to the hot water heater and proceed to open all taps.
   • If a bathtub has a spout and showerhead, direct through the showerhead first. After flushing all taps flush through bathtub tap for 2 minutes
   • Run water to clear the tank for 75 minutes until empty.
   • Turn off faucets.

 

3. Cleaning appliances (to be completed after premise plumbing is flushed)
   • Run empty dishwasher and washing machine with detergent for one cycle.
   • Replace all water filters and regenerate or replace treatment media (e.g., whole-house filter media, refrigerator filter cartridge, ion exchange resin, water jug filter, etc.) after the premise flushing is completed. Reverse osmosis units generally contain a carbon pre-filter which should be replaced.
   • Run fridge water dispenser for 5 minutes.
   • Empty ice maker bin; run ice maker and discard 2 additional batches of ice.
   • Kettles, coffee makers and other small appliances that use water should be cleaned.
     • Accessible parts such as water reservoirs hand washed with soap and water and rinsed thoroughly.
     • Inaccessible areas flushed with 2 or more volumes of water through the unit.
   • Water jug filters can be cleaned.
     • Hand wash reservoir and filter housing and rinsed thoroughly.
     • Replace the filter.
   • Humidifiers can be cleaned.
     • Wash the tank with dish soap and clean water and rinse thoroughly.
     • Change the filter or wick as per manufacturer’s directions.

 

 

Cleaning home water tanks

 

The steps for cleaning water tanks/cisterns are as follows:

 

 

1. Drain/empty the tank:

• Open the outlet valve/tap and drain out any remaining water. If your tank has a washout valve, use this for emptying it.

2. Clean/scrub all internal surfaces:

• Use a mixture of dish detergent and water to clean all internal surfaces of the tank. This can be done with a stiff brush or a high-pressure jet.
• Using a new or clean brush (mop or long handled brush is recommended), thoroughly clean the entire inside.
• Attaching a brush to a long pole may make it possible to clean the tank more easily. Leave the outlet valve open while cleaning.

3. Rinse internal surfaces

• Rinse all internal surfaces to remove all traces of detergent. Using a high-pressure hose or water jet will make this easier.
• Drain all the water from the tank and flush the interior with fresh (treated) water. Continue flushing the tank until there are no longer traces of detergent in the water.
• Ensure all dirt, etc. has been removed.
• Refill tank with treated water for storage and use.

 

Once you have emptied and cleaned your tank and turned off your circulator pump, please change your door hanger to have the green side facing outwards. This will be the indicator for the City that your tank is empty and can be filled with water.

 

Please note there will be no call-outs available during these service weekends.

For additional information during business hours, please contact:
Geoffrey Byrne

A/Communications and Customer Service Manager

867-979-5619 | g.byrne@iqaluit.ca