In November 2004, the Wilmington Department of Public Works started a valve inspection,
exercising and data collection program in the City of Wilmington, Delaware as part of a water
distribution network improvement initiative. Fewer than 38% of the 6,500 valves in the city
were operable at the beginning of the program. As the result of the valve exercising program,
the valve operability has increased to 80% and is expected to rise further by the end of the
Reopening the valves improved water quality, service pressure and fire flow in the city
distribution network.
Approximately 7% of valve access boxes in the city were found paved-over. To prevent
future paving-over of valve access boxes, the city and the Delaware Department of
Transportation (DelDOT) have agreed to a closer coordination of road construction and
pavement restoration work near existing water mains.
GPS mapping of valves was a key aspect of the program. The GPS mapping data were used
for calibrating the water distribution layer of the city GIS system.
The valve exercising program increased the operator confidence in performing water main
shutdowns for emergency water main repairs and construction work. Because of the double
fold increase in valve operability, emergency water main shutdown in the city is performed in
a shorter time period, resulting in reduced water loss and potential damage to surrounding
infrastructure from main break incidents.
The Wilmington Department of Public Works is starting another multi-year program for
exercising hydrant isolation valves and flow testing fire hydrants because of the significant
benefits the valve exercising program has provided to the city. Includes tables, figure.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 1.7 MB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 36 |
| Published : | 11/01/2008 |
