Optimizing Dead-end Flushing for Resource Savings and Water Quality

<p dir="ltr">Only a small number of studies appear in literature focusing exclusively on dead-ends where water quality is often degraded due to high water age, low velocities, sediment accumulation and biological regrowth. Dead-end flushing programs are frequently part of a utility’s maintenance practice, but few utilities collect and analyse flushing data to optimize the process. Research suggests flushing to a minimum 0.4 mg/L free chlorine [1], and 2 NTU turbidity [2] in a directed fashion at velocities greater than 1 m/s [3] while collecting profile samples [4] is the most successful method. This project investigated the effectiveness of materials removed during dead-end flushing and looked at the water used to achieve water quality goals. An alternative flushing practice is proposed to save water and resources.</p><p dir="ltr">This paper was presented at the 21st Computing and Control in the Water Industry Conference (CCWI 2025) at the University of Sheffield (1st - 3rd September 2025).</p>