Notices

The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection and flushing of all fire hydrants citywide on Monday, September 15, 2025, concluding on or around Saturday, September 27, 2025. This annual maintenance program helps keep our community safe by helping to ensure hydrants will work properly when needed to put out a fire.

This inspection and testing program will take approximately two weeks to complete. Work will be conducted Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and if necessary, in the evening, from 6:15 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. Firefighters will check the mechanical operation of each hydrant, as well as briefly flush water from the hydrants. Feel free to thank our brave fire fighters for their year-round service when you see them out for this effort.

In most cases, community members will not notice any changes to their water service.

However, in some cases you may experience a temporary, slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water:

• Though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink.

• If discoloration occurs, you can open the cold tap nearest the water meter—such as a basement sink or a ground-floor sink—to full flow until the water runs clear. In some situations, this may take 5 to 10 minutes.

• Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics.

• If you happen to wash laundry while the water is discolored, don’t dry those items.

• If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, those items should not be dried, and you can call 311 (617-666-3311) for a free bottle of rust remover.

The Water Department also conducts additional water main flushing and maintenance year-round. Visit somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing to see hydrant flushing schedules by street. The schedules are typically updated weekly.

Hydrant inspection and flushing schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

Anyone with questions regarding hydrant maintenance can contact 311 (617-666-3311).

Heat safety tips are below. Tips are also available in multiple languages at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

Top 5 Heat Safety Tips: 

1. Never leave children or pets alone in a car or other vehicle, even for a quick errand and even if the windows are open. 

2. Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, which is typically 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

3. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated or very sugary drinks. 

4. Reduce time spent in direct sun and practice sun safety by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.  

5. Stay informed: Follow City social media pages and contact 311 for the latest information on places you can visit to cool off.  More information at somervillema.gov/socialmedia and somervillema.gov/311.

Take Care of Yourself and Others:  

• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.   

• Take frequent breaks in the shade if you are working outdoors. 

• If you are walking, running, cycling, wheeling, or doing other outdoor exercise during hot weather, have water with you, seek a shady area or route, and pace yourself. Be sure to take a break if you start to feel overheated.

• If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for a child’s skin.

• Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond. Lots of sweating and muscle cramps may be the first signs of a heat illness. Visit mass.gov/extreme-heat to find more information on preventing and treating heat-related illness.

• Check on those who don’t have air conditioning or who are more likely to be affected by heat. These groups may include older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who are pregnant.  

• If you see someone out in the heat who appears immobile or disoriented, call 911 so they can receive the necessary help. 

Tips For Pet Parents:  

• Don’t leave pets outside in hot weather for long periods of time. Keep walks on hot days short.

• Provide plenty of fresh, clean water. If outside, leave the water in a shady area.  

• Keep an eye on pets and watch for signs of discomfort on hot days. Warning signs of overheating may include excessive panting or drooling, and labored breathing. Animals with flat faces, older pets, and pets with health conditions may be more prone to overheating.

The City of Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program will begin the week of May 13 and conclude in late October. This annual program flushes pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality.

Flushing will be done on Mondays and Thursdays between 6 p.m. and midnight to minimize disruptions to water service. In most cases, residents will not notice any changes to their water service. However, some homes may experience a temporary, slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, it should not be dried, and residents can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover.

Residents will be notified via signage when their neighborhood will be affected by the Flushing Program. For more information, please contact the Water Department by email at water@somervillema.gov, or call 617-625-6600 ext. 5850.

Household hazardous waste drop off events are held on the second Saturday of each month, April through November only, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Must bring proof of residency.

WHERE: DPW Yard, 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145

04/12/25

05/10/25

06/14/25

07/12/25

08/09/25

09/13/25

10/11/25

11/08/25

Please note that street sweeping resumed on April 1st and continue through December 31st. We recommend checking the posted signage on the street for the street sweeping schedule to avoid parking tickets.

Please note that curbside yard waste collection will resume on April 14. Yard waste collection will occur weekly for 4 weeks before switching to the alternative week schedule. The season will end on December 5. Yard waste may be put out on the scheduled day inside a barrel marked with a red “Yard waste only” sticker or in a paper yard waste bag. Yard waste only stickers may be picked up at the DPW, 1 Franey Rd or the City Hall Welcome Desk, 93 Highland Ave. 311 will mail out yard waste only stickers upon request.