Residents are being advised to not use water when the city is doing watermain flushing in their area.

Humboldt Public Works Manager Ian Irwin from the City explains why the city tries to do this once a year.

"To ensure that any sediment or possible rust on our older steel pipes are rinsed out of the line. Essentially, folks don't want the rust in their water which is understandable, and larger chunks of rust, known as tubercles, can clog the lines. They can also hold bacteria which we don't want within the water lines themselves."

Irwin explains what would happen if a resident turns on water while the city is doing watermain flushing.

"You will still have water. But for example, if we were working on your block, and we're flushing that line, if you turn your tap on while we're flushing, there's a possibility you'll draw some of that murky water in."

Irwin describes what timeline city workers will use.

"We plan on doing certain areas in one-week intervals. A few days ahead we will hang notices on their door knobs which will explain when we're starting in their area and what to do while we're doing it. For the most part, if you don't run your water during our flushing during the day, you should have no issues."

The City plans to do areas by a week by week basis. Residents will be notified when their block will have to leave the water off.

Residents will be notified two or three days before their neighbourhood will be flushed.

Listen to the full interview between Ian Irwin and Clark Stork here.