Safety Around Water

Flash Floods

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. While flooding can cause significant property damage, flash floods form quickly and can become very dangerous and even life-threatening. A flash flood is the rapid flooding of low-lying areas such as washes, rivers and streams.

Flash floods can occur when there is heavy rain upstream or large amounts of meltwater from snow and ice in high regions. It is important to have a basic knowledge of flash flooding.

• Find out the risk of a flash flood in your area, including increased seasonal risks.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, washes, and other areas where water passes. Flash floods can develop even when there are no visible clouds in the sky.
• Do not walk through moving water if possible. If you must, walk at an angle to the stream flow. Do not walk directly with the flow, or directly perpendicular to it. Move to the side as soon as you can.
• Do not drive into flooded areas, even if you think the water looks shallow. Depths can be tricky to judge and swift moving water can lift a car, truck, or SUV and carry it away with even if it is only a few feet deep.
• If you find yourself stuck in floodwaters and can do it safely, abandon your vehicle and move to higher ground.
• Be aware that some states have a penalty fee for having to be rescued from a flash flood in areas marked with flood warning signs.

Be smart and stay aware of the times of the year most likely to produce flash flooding. For more information on flash floods and other safety hazards check with your local counties.

Purple Pipes are Not Potable Water

Have you seen purple colored water pipes in your neighborhoods and parks? Ever wonder what they are? When pipes are painted purple, it means that the water used for the feature or landscaping is actually reclaimed water, instead of potable (or drinking) water.

Reclaimed water is not for drinking, although it is clear, odorless and safe for other purposes, like irrigation and water features.

What is reclaimed water?

Reclaimed water is what comes from our wastewater treatment plant after the cleaning process. Our plant uses technologies to treat and process water faster than even nature can. By using reclaimed water, communities can conserve traditional freshwater supplies for drinking and provide an environmentally responsible alternative to disposal of wastewater.

To assure safety for other uses, reclaimed water that is used in areas where people may come in contact with it, such as for golf courses and landscape irrigation, it must meet drinking water standards for pathogens. However, it usually contains impurities that keep it from meeting other drinking water standards.