The city of Ames’ Public Works Department is set to do some spring cleaning.

Public Works officials have been flushing the city’s hydrants since Wednesday. The annual program’s purpose is to provide residents with safe, quality water, according to the city of Ames’ website. 

Citizens are being urged to use caution when navigating near flushing crews because of the large amount of water that may accumulate nearby.

The city is also urging residents to run cold water when initially turning on their faucets to check for water clarity. Flushing may dislodge rust and mineral deposits, which could cause the water to turn reddish-brown.

While it’s not harmful to humans, the water can stain clothing. The city of Ames suggests that people check the clarity of its hot water before washing clothing or dishes.

Should water discoloration persist, it is suggested that residents flush their household system by running cold water from as many taps as possible.

To see how many hydrants are flushed and how many are left residents can check the city of Ames website.