Automatic control valves are critical components in water utility systems, regulating pressure, flow and level throughout the distribution network. Despite their critical role, they are frequently among the least maintained components in a water distribution system. So what happens when we neglect these vital assets?When a pressure-reducing valve failed to open at a municipality in central Arizona, it overpressurized a zone, resulting in a line break. The valve had never caused an issue, so it was overlooked and had received no maintenance in over 15 years.Failure of an automatic control valve is not common, and it’s usually unexpected because they
