NEWARK, NJ - City officials will begin inspecting fire hydrants throughout Newark the next few weeks, which may cause water coming through faucets to be slightly discolored.

Residents and businesses should run water through faucets until the water becomes clear again, the mayor, public safety director and fire chief announced in a statement in today.

The hydrants will be inspected throughout the city until Nov. 20, officials said.

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The inspections need to be done to make sure they operate properly during an emergency. Hydrants will be opened and visually inspected for missing caps, bolts or other issues, officials said.

Any hydrants that need repairs will be reported to the Newark Water Department, which handles the upkeep of the city’s hydrants.

The announcement comes amid concerns about lead that has been entering people’s drinking water through pipes. The city has been distributing lead filters to affected residents after a city-commissioned study found that its corrosion control method had become ineffective.

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