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Author:
APH624 (NY)
Here's one for you guys. I'll try to be as brief as I can with as much info as I have. I'm looking to get to the cause of excessive debris, recently, in our municipal water supply.
Water supply - Reservoir (1940) & 2 new wells (2012)
Water Main - 8" Ductal installed 1940 (majority) with newer, periodic, replacement.
Water Pressure - 120PSI
New (2011) 500,000 Gal. Water Holding Tank
Treatment - Ultraviolet (at wells), Chlorine (Wells & Reservoir), Diatomaceous Earth @ Reservoir Filetering Plant.
What's changed? The 2 new wells added to the system, the new Water Holding Tank added to the system, and new piping to both. Municipality flushed Hydrants recently. All in April, 2012.
Problem: Excessive debris in potable water piping delivers by the municipality, stopping or severely slowing the flow of water at the end user. Pressure Reducing Valves screens plugged, aerators plugged, ballcocks plugged, and in some cases, stop & waste valves plugged.
Debris: Stones, twigs, dirt & sand.
Municipality's response: " Reverse flow is dislodging built up scale in the water mains". I say, Bull! I think it's a factor of Cross Connection (pulling in debris while flushing hydrants) & Human error (for not flushing the pipes when they were installed).
I can see a law suite in the workings here.
Your Thoughts? Please
APH
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Author:
hj
quote; Reverse flow is dislodging built up scale in the water mains". I say, Bull! I think it's a factor of Cross Connection (pulling in debris while flushing hydrants) & Human error (for not flushing the pipes when they were installed).
Reverse flow DOES dislodge material which was "streamlined" for flow in the original direction. HOW could they "pull in debris" if the water is flowing OUT of the hydrants. "Debris" does NOT always flow at the same speed as the water, which is why you have to flush several times over a period of time.
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Author:
Wheelchair
I could understand stones and sand as normal debris. Twigs and dirt, are not unheard of. Much depends on the age of the twigs.
Touching any supply of potable waters, requires education, training and certifications. And then there is supervision for documentation, along with the Government groups that monitor the actions. Is your county and state involved with what is happening? If not, that is where I would begin.. or before you spend your first penny.
Best Wishes
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
Stones twigs dirt and sand.You have tubing failures allowing this debris to enter the system.It cannot be processed .the pressure must be lowered under 20 psi in larger tubing .You need only look at main repair procedures and the fools making the repairs to find this type debris solution!!!
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Author:
hj
1. If he were to have a "leak", which is not likely, doesn't water COME OUT of it, things do NOT go inward.
2. If the pressure is reduced to 20 psi, then he would have to do something to raise it to a useful pressure, NOT GOOD advice.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
HJ at pressure no draw is formed.Under at vacuum is the only way twigs get into a twenty inch main.
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Author:
APH624 (NY)
Hi All,
First, I want to thank you for your replies. I have contacted Cornell University on this subject, before I posted this subject. I wanted to hear what you guys had to say while I was waiting to hear back from them. Here is what Cornell University had to say:
I wanted to get back to you regarding your question on debris build-up. I spoke with some folks and our local water filtration plant who have a good range of experience. I described your situation and the possible causes you outlined. They agreed that hydrant flushing was the most likely reason, especially if the town has not done this in some time. They were fairly sure that was it. They said that the town would/should send out a public notice about doing this kind of work that explains that these types of issues are possible, and that people should expect some staining and sediment for a short time. Other possibilities included main breaks and any other major disruption to distribution pipes.
I hope that helps a little. Good luck with your work.
Brian
Brian G Rahm
Post Doctoral Associate
New York State Water Resources Institute
Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
1103 Bradfield Hall
Cornell University
607-254-7163
bgr4@cornell.edu
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