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2021 NPWA Annual Fire Hydrant Inspection and Flushing Program Scheduled

Lansdale, Pa- March 23, 2021- Beginning March 28, 2021, the North Penn Water Authority (NPWA) will commence its annual fire hydrant inspection and flushing program that runs through May 23, 2021. Annual inspection and flushing of fire hydrants increase public safety by ensuring that hydrants will function when called upon in the case of a fire. Flushing of hydrants also improves water quality by removing the build-up of materials from the inside of water distribution pipes.

“Although we are still within the midst of the pandemic, as a ‘life-sustaining business,’ we are committed to continuing our vital water supply operations to the public without interruption,” said Anthony J. Bellitto, Jr., Executive Director of North Penn Water Authority.

“We will safely proceed with our annual flushing program due to the essential function of fire hydrants and the importance of maintaining the excellent water quality in our distribution system.”

Flushing will take place at night between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. and as needed during the day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The following is a tentative flushing schedule:

– March 28th through April 15th: Lansdale, Hatfield and New Britain Boroughs, Hatfield, Upper Gwynedd and New Britain Townships

– April 15th through May 16th: Skippack, Worcester, Lower Salford, Salford, Franconia, and Towamencin Townships

– April 25th through May 14th: Sellersville Borough

– May 16th through May 23rd: Souderton Borough and Hilltown Township

If water discoloration occurs, customers should run the cold water for a few minutes. If the water does not clear up, customers should turn the tap off for 10 to 20 minutes and then run the water again for a few minutes. Customers who experience persistent discolored water or reductions in water pressure should call the Authority’s Customer Service Department at 215-855-3617 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

NPWA to Host Fire Hydrant Design Contest

Lansdale, Pa- April 29, 2020 – In honor of National Drinking Water Week, North Penn Water Authority (NPWA) is hosting a fire hydrant design contest, in which the winner will get to paint their design on an actual fire hydrant located at the NPWA Operations Center.

The contest will run from Monday, May 4, through Thursday, May 7, with the winner announced on Friday, May 8. The contest is open to students currently in grades Kindergarten through fifth. To enter, applicants should simply use the provided blank template to design their custom fire hydrant using the art tools of their choice, take a photo of their design and email it to info@npwa.org. All entries will be posted on NPWA’s Facebook page.

Once the stay-at-home mandate is lifted, the winner will get to paint their design on an actual fire hydrant, located at NPWA’s Operations Center located at 300 Forty Foot Road in Towamencin. The Authority will provide all painting supplies. The hydrant will remain there until Drinking Water Week 2021 with a sign displaying the winner’s name, age and Municipality.

“As an essential business, we are working to stay engaged with our community as best we can during these unprecedented times,” said Anthony Bellitto, Jr. Executive Director of NPWA. “Drinking water plays a vital role in our everyday lives, which is why we want to draw attention to drinking water week through this simple, at-home activity for kids.”

To enter, please submit completed designs and contact information to Lindsay Hughes, Community Relations Coordinator, at info@npwa.org by Thursday, May 7. A panel of judges at NPWA will determine the winner, who will be notified by Friday, May 8.

National Drinking Water Week is an initiative of the American Water Works Association, and occurs during the first full week in May each year to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. For more information, please visit www.awwa.org.

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About North Penn Water Authority

Established in 1965, North Penn Water Authority (NPWA) is a municipally owned, nonprofit Authority with a dedicated, professional workforce committed to providing the community with a safe, reliable, and economical water supply. Water supplied to their customers comes from both a surface water supply that is treated at the state of the art Forest Park Water Treatment Plant (FPWTP) and from 15 groundwater wells located throughout the service area. To provide the highest quality water, the Authority has in place a main replacement program and performs annual flushing of its more than 575 miles of water main which serves more than 35,000 customers. NPWA also owns and maintains all fire hydrants in the service area to ensure hydrants are in working order in case of fire emergencies. NPWA employees, many of whom are NPWA customers themselves, take pride in being able to provide this service to the community. For more information, please visit www.npwa.org or call 215-855-3617.