NATCHEZ — Some city water customers may find their water a little murky today, but officials say the water is safe to drink, even if it is not sparkling clean.

The Natchez Fire Department is flushing and testing city fire hydrants through the end of the month. Natchez Fire Chief Oliver Stewart said the state fire marshal requires the city fire department to flush fire hydrants every five years.

The department will also take readings of the hydrants to make sure the water pressure would be strong enough to put out any fires.

Natchez City Engineer David Gardner said he and Stewart agreed this year that the department will completely flush all the murky water out of the water line even after testing is complete to lessen the impact on residents.

“Whenever (the fire department) is flushing a hydrant, they are going to continue to let the water run until it’s clear,” Gardner said. “Hopefully, we won’t have as much murky water as in the past.”

Water Plant Manager Lance Webb said residents’ water will be safe to drink during the hydrant testing regardless of whether it is crystal clear.

Webb said he has not received any complaints from residents so far during testing this year. He said he took samples of the water flushed from hydrants last week, and it came back clean.

Webb suggested residents who see color in their water hold off doing chores like washing clothes.

He also suggested residents not use hot water because the color would get into the hot water tank and take longer to flush out

Streets that could be affected by hydrant testing today include Vaughn and Dumas drives, Concord Avenue, Ford, Elm and College streets, West Stiers Lane and Marblestone Road.