Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Beginning Tuesday, November 15, the Hattiesburg Fire Department will begin its annual testing program on all fire hydrants throughout the City in accordance with requirements by the Mississippi State Rating Bureau.
This is a standard process that assesses the pressure and flow of every hydrant located within the city limits of Hattiesburg and helps meet the state’s standards for fire protection.
Each station and crew will be assigned hydrants in blocks of the City at a time. Fire officials believe that the process will take at least three full weeks, but have scheduled a fourth for any weather or operational delays.
Testing will not take place Wednesday, November 23 through Friday, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holidays and family gatherings.
“This annual testing program helps us maintain the department’s Class 3 fire rating. The routine is one our crews are familiar with and we work closely with the Water and Sewer Department to maintain the integrity of the water lines and fire hydrants,” said Fire Chief Sherrocko Stewart.
The department’s fire rating was upgraded from a 4 to a 3 in the summer of 2020.
Residents in these areas may encounter blocked roads or traffic detours during this time – as well as low water pressure or discolored water. These are typical side effects of hydrants being flushed during testing. Residents who experience loss of service or an elongated time of low pressure or discolored water should call 601-545-4500.
A list of frequently asked questions and a weekly schedule of test sites (updated each Friday) is accessible below. This information will also be accessible on both the City and the Fire Department’s Facebook pages.
The schedule may be adjusted due to call volume and weather, but notice to the public will be prioritized.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is my water pressure low?
A: Your water pressure may be low due to the flushing of fire hydrants, which lowers the water pressure in the area that is being tested. This issue will be resolved once flushing is completed.
Q: Why is my water discolored?
A: Water discoloration or turbid water is caused by the stirring of sedimentation in the water main when hydrants are flushed.
Q: What should I do if my residence has discolored water?
A: Run faucets within your home for a few minutes or until the water becomes clear.
Q: If water is discolored, is it safe for consumption?
A: Yes. The discoloration is caused by harmless mineral deposits that settle in the water main and are stirred during the flushing activity.
Q: Is it OK to wash laundry when water is discolored?
A: No. Please run all water inside the home for approximately 15 minutes or until the water clears. You should check water clarity by capturing a sample from the washing machine in a clear glass or container. If water is cloudy or discolored, please do not wash the laundry. If your clothes become discolored due to cloudy water, do not put them in the drier. First, run a cycle of water through your machine and rewash discolored clothes.
Weekly Schedule of Testing Areas
This list will be updated every Friday until complete, with the newest streets added to the top of the list. The schedule may be adjusted due to call volume and weather.
Week of Tuesday, November 15
- Adeline Street
- Mamie Street
- Oferrall Street
- S 12th Avenue
- S 13th Avenue
- S 14th Avenue
- S 15th Avenue
- S 16th Avenue
- S 17th Avenue
- Eva Street
- Brooklane Drive
- S 18th Avenue
- S 19th Avenue
- Scott Street
- Short 5th Street
- Dewey Street
- Short Kinnard Street
- Atlanta Street
- Mobile Street
- Inez Street
- Coit Street
- E 10th Street
- E 9th Street
- E 8th Street
- E 7th Street
- E 6th Street
- E 5th Street
- Concart Street
- Camp Street
- Corrine Street
- Hardy Street
- Main Street
- Green Street
- College Street
- West Street
- Mable Street
- West Street
- Tennessee Street
- McLeod Street
- Miller Street
- San Antonio Street
- St. Paul Street
- Xavier Street
- Hemphill Street
- William Carey Parkway (including campus)
- Tuscan Avenue
- JC Killingsworth Drive
- Franklin Street
- Bernard Street
- Penton Street
- Vernon Street
- Edwards Street
- Lilac Street
- Blankinship Circle
- Reca Street
- Hattiesburg Street
- McCall Street
- Grace Court
- Dixie Pine Road
- Longing Road
- Collins Road
- 28th Avenue
- Alice Drive
- Byron Street
- Carter Drive
- Clayton Place
- Estelle Street
- Fox Chase Drive
- Julienne Place
- Lincoln Road
- Longuevue Drive
- Madison Plaza
- Marie Street
- McInnis Street
- Pickwick Place
- Private Drive
- Roosevelt Street
- Hwy 49
- Barkley Road
- Edwards Street
- Central School Road
- Elks Lake Road
- Brady Road
- Johnston Circle
- PRCC Campus
- Millpond Drive
- Millcreek Point
- Barnhart Loop
- W L Runnels Industrial Drive
- Stokes Drive
- South Hills Drive
- Sullivan Drive
- Quality Drive
- J M Tatum Drive
- Academy Drive
- Old Airport Road
- Barnes Avenue
- Elnora Knight Road
- JM Tatum Industrial Drive
- James Street
- Langston Road
- Ralston Road
- Thornhill Drive
- N 39th Avenue
- Brookwood Lane
- Eagle Drive
- W 4th Street
- Juniper Drive
- N 37th Avenue
- N 38th Avenue
- Virginia Drive
- Georgia Avenue
- Southernhills Drive
- Service Drive 1
- Lurty Avenue
- Dearborne Street
- Dixie Avenue
- Park Avenue
- Venetian Way
- Emerson Drive
- Saratoga Circle
- Mable Street
- Duane Street
- Cory Park Circle
- Conti Street
- Stadium Drive
- W 7th Street
- 42 Bypass
- Industrial Drive
- N 26th Avenue
- Cahal Street
- Columbia Street
- Short Columbia Street
- Mixon Street
- W Roberts Street
- E Roberts Street
- Aztec Street
- Glendale Avenue
- North Street
- E Scooba Street
- E Florence Street
- Harrell Street
- Royal Street
- Guy Eaton Street/ Eastside Avenue
- W Pine Street
- Finlo Drive
- W Florence Street
- Corinna Street
- W Scooba Street
- Emerald Lane
- Timothy Lane
- W 63rd Street
- Broadway Drive
- Alcorn Avenue
- Newman Street
- Bushman Street
- Hall Avenue
- Putnam Avenue
- Rebecca Avenue
- Elizabeth Avenue
- Deason Avenue
- Arcadia Street
- Eddy Street
- Parker Avenue
- Velma Street
- Estelle Street
- Windsor Drive
- Marie Street
- Cloverleaf Mall
- S 17th Avenue
- Frisco Street
- Cloverleaf Drive
- Crestview Drive
- Broadway Drive
- Lincoln Road
- Raphael Drive
- Comanche Drive
- Tiltree Road
- Laramie Circle
- Laredo Drive
- Prince George Road
- Williamsburg Road
- Jamestown Road
- Mandalay Drive
- Monterrey Lane
- Woodland Hills Drive
- Beverly Lane
- Hillendale Drive
- South 34th Avenue
- West Memorial Drive
- Eagle Walk
- Austine Avenue
- Black and Gold Blvd
- Charles Lane
- College Drive
- Smalling Drive
- East Memorial Drive
- Southern Miss Drive
- Alumni Drive
- Felder Place
- Service Drive
- Doleac Drive
- Morningside Drive
- W 4th Street
- Fraternity Drive
- Pearl Street N.
- N.34th Avenue
- N. 35th Avenue
- N. 36th Avenue
- N. 37th Avenue
- Montague Blvd
- Thornhill Drive
- Mable Street.
- Westover Drive
- Oak Grove Road
- Plaza Drive
- Park Place
- Commerce Drive
- Carlisle Street
- Park Place Apts
- Summerwest Apts
- The Reserve Apts
- Timberton Drive
- Saint Annes Drive
- Dornach
- Troon Circle
- Lytham Circle
- Glen Eagles Drive.
- Turnberry Drive
- Saint Andrew Circle
- Poplar Row
- Old Hickory Road
- Darby Road
- South 40th Avenue
- 40th Place
- Linden Court
- Merianne Drive
- Lesley Lane
- Longwood Drive
- Abbeywood Lane
- Shadowwood Drive
- Huckleberry Lane
- Sharmont Drive
- Belfort Drive
- Delond Place
- Hope Street
- McInnis Loop
- Pinewood Drive
- Brycewood Circle
- Alexander Drive
- Sandlewood Drive
- Sangria
- Candlewick
- Oakleigh Drive
- Southaven
- Danbury
- Carrie Road
- Natalie Lane
- Kirkwood Drive
- Wheeless Circle
- Waterford
- Classic Drive
- Classic Woods Drive
- Country Club Lane.
- Fair Lake Circle
- Fair Lake Drive
- Fairway Place
- Honors Lane
- J. Ed Turner
- Jackson Road
- Lake Estates Drive N (1000 Block)
- Lake Estates Drive S (100 Block)
- Lake Shore Drive
- Medinah Drive
- North Beverly Hills Drive
- Pinetree Drive
- Pipeline
- Seventeen Place
- Spyglass Hill
- Galloway Blvd.
- Gravel Pit Road
- Hamlet Drive
- Hegwood Road
- Hospital Drive East
- Hospital Drive West
- Methodist Blvd
- Cottage Dr
- Millsaps Drive
- Turtle Creek Drive
- Hwy 98
- Jackson Road
- Shadow Ridge
- Wedgewood
- Shadow Lake
- Waverly
- Brookwood
- Calcutta Cove
- Callaway Court
- Jackson Road
- Lake Forgetful
- The MET Apts
- Aruba Drive
- Aztec Street.
- Bermuda Drive
- Beverly Hills Road
- Blue Gable Road
- Campbell Drive
- Campbell Loop
- Campbell Scenic Drive
- Gunnison Drive
- Grenada Drive
- Hwy 49 from Campbell Loop to N 31Street
- Gateway Drive
- Classic Drive
- Breckinridge Drive
- Golf Course Road
- W Hills Drive
- Shelby Thames Drive
- W Yellowstone
- E Yellowstone
- Carlsbad Drive
- Everglades
- N Beverly Hills
- Blackwell Raspberry Lane
- 6720-7510 blocks of Hwy 49
- Convention Center Plaza
- Broad Acres Drive
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