Hydrant Flushing

The City of Bowie Public Works Department performs fire hydrant flushing and testing in areas served by city water twice a year. The exact schedule will be posted here before each flush. Typically the Spring flush is in late March, and the Fall flush begins in late September. They usually take about four to five weeks to complete the full schedule.

Fall 2021 Hydrant Flushing Schedule

The City of Bowie will begin the semi-annual fire hydrant flushing and testing program in areas served by City water.

Hydrant flushing will begin on Monday, September 27, 2021 and will take place Monday through Friday from approximately 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in accordance with the following schedule: 

DatesNeighborhoods
SEPTEMBER 27 & 28Buckingham, Derbyshire, & Forest Dr.
SEPTEMBER 29 & 30
Somerset & Bowie Forest
OCTOBER 1 & 4Tulip Grove including Twin Cedar
OCTOBER 5 & 6
Foxhill & Long Ridge
OCTOBER 7, 8 & 11Kenilworth
OCTOBER 12Heather Hills
OCTOBER 13, 14 & 15Meadowbrook
OCTOBER 18Grady's Walk & Glenridge
OCTOBER 19Chapel Forge
OCTOBER 20Victoria Heights & Racetrack Rd. Townhomes
OCTOBER 21Idlewild
OCTOBER 22Yorktown & Overbrook
OCTOBER 25Whitehall
OCTOBER 26
Rockledge

Learn more about the Hydrant Flushing process and why we flush the pipes by watching this video produced in Spring 2019.

Water Discoloration

Some discoloration of your water may occur and clothes washing is discouraged. If your clothes become discolored, keep them wet and re-wash them using a rust remover. Rust remover will be available at no cost from City Hall and Public Works offices. 

The water is safe for drinking and bathing even though it may be discolored. The discoloration is a result of rust and sediment build up in the water lines and is not harmful. The discoloration should clear in approximately 24 hours. Since the City water mains are all interconnected, flushing of hydrants in adjacent sections could affect your water as well.

Additional Information

For more information or questions about hydrant flushing, please contact Public Works by phone (301-809-2344) or email.

The City of Bowie Public Works Department performs fire hydrant flushing and testing in areas served by city water twice a year. The exact schedule will be posted here before each flush. Typically the spring flush is in late March, and the fall flush begins in late September. They usually take about four to five weeks. 

Learn more about the Hydrant Flushing process and why we flush the pipes by watching this video produced in Spring 2019.



Water Discoloration


Some discoloration of your water may occur, and while the water is safe to use, clothes washing is discouraged. If your clothes become discolored, keep them wet and re-wash them using a rust remover. Rust remover will be available at no cost from City Hall or Public Works. The water is safe for drinking and bathing even though it may be discolored.

The discoloration is a result of rust and sediment build up in the water lines and is not harmful. The discoloration should clear in approximately 24 hours. However, since the water mains are all interconnected, flushing of hydrants in adjacent sections could affect your water as well.

Additional Information


For more information or questions about hydrant flushing, please contact Ashley Mullikin by phone (301-809-2344) or email.