Manhole risers help raise valve boxes to grade
Problem: Newport News, with a population of about 183,000, is Virginia’s fifth most populous city. The city’s Water Distribution Operations Coordinator Jim LeVasseur says, “We have a complex water distribution infrastructure that delivers water to five districts and includes 1,700 miles of pipe, 11,000 fire hydrants, and three water treatment plants.T he problem is, when we raised streets with a paving lift, we didn’t have a good way to raise our valve boxes to grade. We used cast iron risers for a while, but they would rattle loose, even if they were epoxied, leaving open holes. And 16-inch holes are a real problem for cars, and our system.”
Solution: Starting in 2006, Newport News has been using a custom riser solution that is much faster than raising valve boxes by traditional methods, cost-effective, and absolutely secure. As Valve Maintenance Specialist Michael Lawson says of the custom risers, “Once you tighten the turnbuckle, they do not fail.” The secret is the “pivoted turnbuckle;” American Highway Products manhole risers are an open, flexible ring of high-quality, galvanized steel with a turnbuckle that can be expanded or contracted with a screwdriver to fit snugly into original utility rims.
Result: The adjustable risers make it possible to raise dozens of manholes in a day, all while avoiding extensive traffic closures. The city keeps about 100 of the risers on hand at all times, in a couple of different thicknesses, and reorders as needed. It may have taken Newport News a while to make a commitment to a new infrastructure solution, but now that they have, they are making up for a lot of lost time, and making their system safer and more efficient. 888-272-2397; www.ahp1.com
Ensuring operational readiness with regular valve exercising
Problem: In municipal sewer and water systems, the functionality of valves is critical to smooth operations. A Midwestern municipality recently discovered a 24-inch plug valve in their water distribution system had become inoperable due to sediment buildup caused by infrequent use. The valve was also installed with the plug opening downward, which resulted in the plug getting packed in place by the sediment. After numerous attempts, operators managed to free the plug by gradually making progress with each actuation.
Solution: The municipality adopted a maintenance protocol based on AWWA standards, which recommends periodically cycling valves through their full range of motion. For resilient-seated eccentric plug valves, this involves operating the valve from fully open to fully closed and back. They also updated their installation practices to follow DeZURIK’s guidelines, ensuring plugs swing upward to avoid sediment buildup.
Result: Implementing the maintenance program reduced valve-related issues. Regularly exercising the valves prevented sticking, evenly distributed lubrication and preserved seal integrity. 320-259-2000; www.dezurik.com
Valve-out tool transforms valve removal in water district
Problem: Faced with a challenging project involving the removal of a valve in a tight space with no room for movement, Jorge Garcia, a seasoned professional at the Metropolitan Water District in Riverside, California, contacted Specialty Maintenance Products to discuss potential solutions.
Solution: He decided to rent the Valve-Out Tool for a test run before committing to a purchase. The results exceeded expectations — the tool delivered exceptional performance, allowing his team to complete the task quickly and safely. “The tool was incredibly user-friendly and applied up to 7 tons of force with just a 1/2-inch drive ratchet wrench,” says Garcia. “It required minimal effort to spread the flanges, and the time saved was invaluable.” Pleased with the outcome, the team soon purchased a complete set with extra extensions to handle a wider range of applications.
Result: Since then, the valve-out tool has been used on multiple projects without any issues. Garcia highlighted its safety and reliability, emphasizing how it has become a go-to solution for complex valve removal tasks. He also encouraged other industry professionals to try the tool, noting the significant reduction in manual effort and the enhanced safety it offers. 713-667-4402; www.smptools.comt
Homeless shelter needs new grinder lift station
Problem: In May 2024, Zoeller learned of a new homeless shelter in Garrard County, Kentucky, needing a new grinder pump lift station. With a very tight window for construction, a Zoeller prepackaged lift station was chosen for its ease of installation.
Solution: Since the lift station assembly is prepackaged at the factory, it was ready to install once it arrived at the job site, making it easy for the contractor to install safely and quickly. A prepackaged lift station consists of interdependent components such as a pump, basin and controls that, when properly selected and installed, will provide years of optimal performance. In contrast to a site-built lift station, a prepackaged lift station simplifies installation and provides trouble-free performance if designed and assembled by a qualified single-source manufacturer. After reviewing the needs for the Garrard County project, it was decided that the following prepackaged lift system would be used for an ideal, long-term reliable solution: Duplex 7011 pumps, fiberglass basin, rail assembly and a duplex control panel.
Result: Once the system was installed, it fully met the needs of the shelter and is working without problems today. 800-928-7867; www.zoellerpumps.com
