Lining reduces lead leaching

Problem:
Lead was leaching into drinking water systems in the City of Birmingham, Warwickshire, United Kingdom.

Solution:
Morrison Utility Services, a leading U.K. utility service provider, used ePIPE from ACE DuraFlo Systems to coat 25 feet of 3/4-inch I.D. lead communication pipe running under a road, and lengths of 1/2-inch I.D. lead supply lines up to 35 feet. The process meets the U.K. Water Regulatory Advisory Scheme and Drinking Water Regulation 31 program. The epoxy is NSF-listed and IAPMO-approved for a two-hour return to service.

Result:
The coating cured in the allotted time. After it was inspected, water service was restored. 800/359-6369; www.epipeinfo.com.

Valve exercisers hitch to ATV

Problem:
Exercising larger valves at the Clay Rural Water System in Wakonda, S.D., was a time-consuming chore for operators, as most valves were in ditches and fields. The city looked for a cost-effective, efficient alternative.

Solution:
Hurco Technologies demonstrated hitch-mounted Spin Doctor valve exercisers in vertical and horizontal configurations with 800 ft-lbs of torque.

Result:
Operators mounted both configurations of exercisers on the back of an ATV, enabling them to access valves effortlessly by reaching over fences and into tight spots. 800/888-1436; www.gethurco.com.

PVC pipe maintains on-grade profile

Problem:
During an upgrade of the Escambia County Utility Authority’s wastewater collection system in Perdido Beach, Fla., conflicts between survey information for underground utility locations and actual alignments and depths made open-cut construction difficult and undesirable.

Solution:
Gator Boring of Pensacola recommended horizontal directional drilling using Fusible PVC pipe from Underground Solutions. Working in sandy soils made maintaining the on-grade profile more challenging. “The pipe’s strength and stiffness were key factors in maintaining grade,” says Eric Lyons of Gator Boring.

Result:
“Having a fused joint PVC sewer line minimizes the potential for infiltration, which is a significant benefit,” says Ed Bowles, P.E., the owner’s engineer. 858/679-9551; www.undergroundsolutions.com.

Utility cuts water loss in half

Problem:
In 2009, the New Braunfels (Texas) Utilities calculated its average water loss at 2,000 gallons per mile per day along 456 miles of pipeline.

Solution:
The utility purchased leak detection equipment from Fluid Conservation Systems, a division of Halma Water Management. The Permalog leak noise data loggers attach magnetically to pipelines and use advanced algorithms to discern the acoustic signature of leaks from background noise. The SoundSens “i” correlating noise logger and TriCorr correlator analyze data from acoustic sensors to approximate the location of leaks. The Xmic electronic ground microphones amplify noise generated by water escaping from buried supply lines under pressure, allowing users to pinpoint the leaks.

Result:
Workers exercised 750 valves per year and scanned the city for non-surfacing leaks. By 2011, the utility estimated it had reduced its average water loss to 961 gallons per mile per day. “We tested many products in the field and found FCS to have the highest level of reliability,” says Trino Pedraza, operations and maintenance division manager. 800/531-5465; www.fluidconservation.com.

Pipe stops stormwater infiltration

Problem:
The Vallecitos Water District in San Marcos, Calif., needed to replace an undersized, failing 21-inch sewer interceptor to stop stormwater infiltration.

Solution:
Principal district engineer James Gumpel, P.E., chose Flowtite pipe for its durability, low maintenance, availability and cost. The lightweight fiberglass-reinforced polymer pipe has a smooth internal surface immune to corrosion. It is available in diameters up to 156 inches and different nominal stiffnesses.

Result:
The contractor air-tested the pipe, which passed. No deflection was encountered after backfilling the trench. 909/909-7174; www.flowtitepipe.com.