The Junction City Fire Department is continuing the hydrant testing process between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city’s hydrants are being tested to ensure they’re operable and able to produce the required water pressure when needed to supply water for firefighting purposes.

Because the testing must be done during normal operating hours, it is impossible to know in advance where or when exactly the testing will take place in any specific area.

Opening hydrants can sometimes cause a temporary discoloration of water in nearby homes. The discoloration is not harmful and can be cleared up by running the water for a few minutes.

The testing ensures the protection of local residents and is also an evolution indicator used by the Insurance Services Organization which rates cities according to the fire protection they offer. The recent Insurance Services Organization rating resulted in the elevation of the City of Junction City to a Class 3 protection rating.

Hydrant testing was scheduled to begin in the northwest corridor of the city on Tuesday.