The programmable feature is great. The automatic system improves water quality. Dechlorination with our units must be turned on and off manually with a valve, and we can set the amount of water to pass through. 0000036072 00000 n We monitor residuals on a daily basis. These systems can be programmed to flush on a scheduled sequence and to monitor a variety of water quality conditions, including chlorine residuals, temperature, pH, flow, turbidity, and pressure. Flushing helps the system maintain clarity, reduce biofilm, and prevent bacteria buildup. 127 0 obj <> endobj xref The lack of visibility is another advantage. This system conserves water, reduces chlorine consumption, and improves customer satisfaction by helping avoid taste and odor, while requiring minimal supervision by utility personnel. Trucks get stuck in the mud, and the crew is exposed to snakes, traffic, and other hazards. E.g. Hydro-Guard Permanent Flushing Systems provide a fully automated solution for flushing water distribution lines. 0000005556 00000 n One of our concerns with manual flushing is eroding the land. hb```b``y$g23 0+PA 6Qbkt{th"JsG^@iqO,YBE,^,0S\a\*T,SH}EVkLpT4M5WZW"v e7dX,tm}N6$[ZW@}S'MyuF-O|99+,Hw+x. 0000027734 00000 n With manual flushing out of fire hydrants, you can move water from the pipe fast and clean the pipe quickly. 0000011352 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n But the ripple effect is that sediment is stirred up, and you still have complaints. The companys broad product and service portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, metering products and systems, leak detection and pipe condition assessment. We can run the system one hour per day or one hour every three days. It also avoids putting too much pressure on a pipe or causing water hammer. The units can be designed to operate reliably in warm and cold climates. Our units do not sense the level of chlorine, but newer SMART units are capable of monitoring the amount of chlorine and dechlorinating as needed. We have SCADA set up at the remote areas to monitor chlorine residual. Steve Lovato, system quality supervisor for Denver Water, and Brian Bianchi, senior project manager of Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority, provide information on how to prevent water quality issues in the distribution system. 0000003997 00000 n Reliability and safety are very important also. %PDF-1.4 % It eliminates callouts for water quality complaints and avoids some of the headaches of manual flushing, like a car parked in the way or getting an emergency call in the middle of flushing. 0000020896 00000 n But most importantly, we are striving to ensure you are satisfied with our service, our products and our care before, during and after the sale.. 0000014800 00000 n Residential neighborhoods under construction and large underpopulated developments often have slow-moving or stagnant drinking water. Brian Bianchi: The biggest advantage is the ability to flush trouble spots at regular intervals without having to allocate resources to flush manually. We can turn the units on and off based on our needs. 0000014855 00000 n It keeps the water fresh, clear of any sediment, and helps to maintain chlorine residuals and avoid bacterial growth. We run our automatic flushing units at 70 gallons per minute. Dead-end mains, typically in cul-de-sacs, at the end of rural streets, or even in a looped line, are known problem areas for water stagnation. Steve Lovato: Mainly, the automatic flushing units maintain water quality so nitrites dont build up. 0000008701 00000 n This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. 0000006156 00000 n We are committed to building products that are made to last. We can set them to flush on a specific day and set time. 0000028148 00000 n Automated flushing systems and water quality sample stations. Advocates of this philosophy, including hundreds of municipal water distribution utilities throughout the U.S. and Canada, have concluded that smaller volumes of water can be used on a more frequent basis to maintain a minimum disinfectant residual that in turn results in a reduction in the growth rate of biofilms resulting in a reduced disinfectant demand within the pipeline. 0000021126 00000 n They can be programmed to turn on seven days per week for a set number of minutes. Automatic flushing avoids that problem. Serving engineers, distributors, contractors, and municipalities in water and wastewater applications. 0000005668 00000 n The areas where we use the automatic flushing units are difficult to access. 0000039472 00000 n 2022 Highlands Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. trailer <]/Prev 790291>> startxref 0 %%EOF 164 0 obj <>stream Flushing at that rate prevents scouring the pipe interior. Steve Lovato: Newer units can be, but weve had our units for thirteen years. 0000001710 00000 n With the automatic units, a one-inch line is used for flushing, resulting in less complaints. The time to drive to a remote site, open and flow the hydrant, and come back can total three hours. Steve Lovato: Because you can be more consistent. 0000028477 00000 n Also, we maintain chlorine residual in the distribution system. We determine the flush time based on the diameter and length of pipe. It takes human error out of the picture. Steve Lovato: Also, nitrification can occur in the pipe, which reduces chlorine residual further, resulting in bacterial growth. 0000001577 00000 n We know the flushing will be done on time, consistently, flowing at a constant rate. If we see the chlorine level dropping, we set the timer for longer intervals. Steve Lovato: We use our automatic units in the remote areas where we flush into fields. Hydro-Guard automatic flushing and monitoring systems are used by utilities throughout North America to maintain water quality throughout their distribution systems. These automatic flushing units are extremely reliable. Steve Lovato: In general, distribution lines need to be flushed to maintain water quality in the system. SMART units are available that can be remotely controlled and can monitor chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, flow, and temperature. 0000011992 00000 n Flushing the distribution system reduces water quality issues and complaints. This leads to a loss of chlorine, a buildup of sediment, and increased water age. 0000001056 00000 n Distribution systems are a complex system of pipes, pumps, valves, and tanks. They run off a nine-volt battery that we replace once per yearvery impressive for an electronic device. Brian Bianchi: Yes, our Hydro-Guard HG-8 units come with a dechlorinating chamber that holds a number of tablets. 0000027773 00000 n 0000005357 00000 n 0000035165 00000 n 0000005442 00000 n If a hydrant is opened to full flow, it discharges at over 1,000 gallons per minute. Our units have an electronic control valve that allows water to pass through. We remove the filler pipe and install a 1-inch meter to measure the water loss, as were being proactive to reduce unaccounted-for water. 127 38 Water can be discharged atmospherically onto the system's splash plate or direct into a storm pond, storm sewer or drainage swale. Brian Bianchi: We have eight units throughout the distribution system. It helps municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service, and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure. For more information, visit www.muellerwaterproducts.com. 0000003934 00000 n And in the winter, water does not freeze on the road surface, nor does ice form in an intersection at the bottom of a hill. Steve Lovato: The automatic flushing system saves a lot of man-hours. The Hydro-Guard system monitors water quality in distribution piping and automatically initiate flushing as necessary to maintain disinfectant residuals as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 0000009310 00000 n 0000010661 00000 n Steve Lovato: Our four automatic flushing units are in northeast part of our service area at the furthest points in the distribution system. 0000020813 00000 n 0000008143 00000 n We also review customer complaints to see where problems exist in the system. A reduced disinfectant demand in the pipeline in turn results in a longer detention time allowed prior to the loss of disinfectant residual within the pipeline. 0000007399 00000 n Areas where dead-end mains are located tend to have customer complaints about taste, odor, and water discoloration. It helps with consistency, too. You can set the units to flush at a specific rate. In this interview, we hear how two of Muellers customers address the challenges of water main dead ends. 0000003268 00000 n Brian Bianchi: With automatic flushing, were able to turn the water over, especially in areas where theres not a big demand. Another issue is safety. AutomationDirect: Enclosures Overview and Selection, Sulzer White Page: Reviving Pump Performance, Sulzer: Enhanced Efficiency and Reliability, Yaskawa: Auto-Tuning and Variable Frequency Drives, Reasons to Invest in an Arsenic Water Treatment System, Smart Technologies: Redefining the Reciprocating Pumps Market. Brian Bianchi: Automatic flushing provides the opportunity to consistently move water at dead ends versus manually flushing as needed. An important maintenance task is to ensure water is thrust through the system at a decent velocity to clear out stagnant water. Mueller Water Products is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water in North America. Flushing at a reduced rate avoids pooling of water, filling ditches, and causing erosion. The flushing is concealed by flowing directly into a drain pipe, which reduces customer calls about wasting water or wondering if something is wrong. We have to be especially careful not to over-flush and create wetlands as it can attract birds which are a serious hazard near an airport. 0000009979 00000 n This gives us a good indication of how to set flushing times. Brian Bianchi: Water tends to stagnate in dead-end pipes. 0000029063 00000 n Employees dont have to work near or in the roadway. 0000032114 00000 n 0000004681 00000 n They can also be set to flush a specific number of gallons per minute. Flushing of water distribution systems is critical to ensure customers receive the best water quality. MODERN PUMPING TODAY, May 2019Did you enjoy this article?Subscribe to the FREE Digital Edition of Modern Pumping Today Magazine! Mueller Water Products is North Americas largest and only full-line supplier of potable water distribution products, which includes an extensive line of water flushing solutions. Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. for 1+3, enter 4. Brian Bianchi: When it comes to flushing old cast iron pipes, slow and steady wins the race. 0000006569 00000 n A conversation on important maintenance to help prevent water stagnation. Brian Bianchi: Our automatic flushing units are manually set. Designed for use with either a built-in (NODE) or removable (T-2) multi-event programmer, Hydro-Guard systems are programmed to flush a water line multiple times per day, seven days a week, with flush durations ranging from one minute to six hours per program. Also, one of our systems furthest points is at Denver International Airport. 0000002818 00000 n Aging infrastructure, poor quality pipelines, and high temperatures are all contributing factors to scale and biofilm building up inside pipelines. Also, the automatic flushing system prevents high-velocity flows that can cause pressure problems. Flushing at a lower but consistent rate prevents sediment from breaking off the pipe and causing complaints. This is especially important in low-flow areas and where water mains dead end. Sediments and deposits can accumulate naturally. 0000001769 00000 n Advanced Maintenance Flushing minimizes disinfectant residual conditions in water distribution systems by providing periodic flushing on a consistent and regulated basis in order to maintain the water quality in the distribution system between flushing events.

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