Bemidji begins annual water main flushing April 15, may affect pressure

Low water pressure and rusty-looking tap water may briefly show up across Bemidji starting April 15 as the city begins its annual water main flushing program. Crews will start at 7 a.m. Wednesday and are expected to keep working through about the end of May, moving citywide in a north-to-south pattern before finishing in the Nymore area.

The City of Bemidji Water Department said the maintenance is meant to protect water quality and keep the system reliable by clearing mineral buildup, including iron, from water mains. While residents may notice discolored water or a temporary dip in pressure, city officials said the discoloration comes from iron sediment stirred up in the pipes and is not harmful.

Flushing will take place daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so homes and businesses along the route may see the effects during the workday. If water runs rusty or cloudy, the city advises residents to run cold water until it clears again. The city says the issue is temporary and should pass as the system settles after crews move through each area.

Residents can track the work using the interactive flushing map on the city’s website, found under the sewer/water/refuse tab. For questions, the city lists Todd Anderson, Water & Sewer Superintendent, as the contact at (218) 333-1854.

The seasonal flushing is a routine but visible reminder of how much work goes into keeping Bemidji’s water system clean and dependable. For households in Beltrami County, the main inconvenience is likely to be short-lived, with the strongest effects limited to pressure changes and discolored water while crews work through the city block by block.