Why Shut Down Your Water System? You Now Have Options

By Brett Hanes,
General Manager,
Hydra-Stop

Every week hundreds of public and private water utilities shut down their pipelines. This common occurrence is not only an irritating disruption for valued customers, but more importantly, shutdowns are a matter of health and safety for utility crews, as well as water users. It is imperative that the medical industry, emergency firefighters, and all the other significant water users have continuous water volume and steady water pressure. Additionally, the high costs associated with a planned or emergency shutdown are many times not recognized or calculated. Simply stated by Dan Clark, a public works director from Fulton, IL, who is committed to avoiding shutdowns, "It is hard to calculate just how much money is saved by not shutting down the water system."

A California State University field study training program for certifying potable water operators clearly articulates the purpose of a water distribution system. According to the third edition of Water Distribution Systems Operation and Maintenance, the purpose of such a system is to protect water quality while consistently delivering adequate quantities of water at sufficient pressures under frequently changing conditions. Maintaining continuous positive water pressure in the system under all conditions is of utmost importance in order to protect the distribution system from the entrance of toxic and other undesirable substances. Water Distribution Systems Operation and Maintenance says, "the water suppliers' management and operators have the legal responsibility for delivering safe water to their customers and this is largely done through the conscientious operation and maintenance of the system facilities." Despite the legal implications, many agencies view shutdowns as an unavoidable process since most are not familiar with any alternative methods.

But alternative methods do exist. Utilities now have an option to avoid the shutdown and the hazards and irritations that go along with shutdowns: under pressure installation (UPI) technology. Primarily there are three UPI techniques:
1) Under Pressure (UP) tapping
2) UP line stopping
3) UP valve insertion.

All three of these techniques allow the water system utility to provide uninterrupted water service for all water users while solving a potential emergency or conducting routine pipe, valve, and hydrant maintenance.