The Hydro-Guard®
Story:
A New Generation of Flushing
The challenge.
For years water utilities operators have been faced with increasing challenges related to the maintenance of water quality. Customers expect their delivered water to be safe, free of odor and colorless. Regulations in many states and provinces are specific; requiring minimum chlorine residuals of no less than 0.2 mg/l (free chlorine) or 0.6 mg/l (combined chlorine), with a maximum chlorine residual at all points within the system to be no more than 4 mg/l.
The reality of today's water distribution system structure makes compliance difficult. Consider the following:
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System growth means water lines extend further from treatment facilities, increasing the time and distance water must travel to the end user.
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Aging distribution systems often contain undesirable piping materials and build-ups. These have the potential to leach contaminates when in prolonged contact with water.
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Fire flow standards continue to increase, resulting in larger pipe sizes.
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Oversized water mains installed in anticipation of future projected flow demands in new residential, commercial and industrial developments cause quality deterioration.
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Contemporary sub-division designs tend to favor a cul-de-sac style residential development, which results in dead-end water lines.
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Residential wastewater reuse programs, although a valuable water conservation tool, often reduce potable water system flow between 30 percent and 60 percent.
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Seasonal population fluctuations can significantly reduce water main flow during off-season periods.
The solution.
The most effective method of maintaining water quality throughout the distribution system is through an effective flushing program. Flushing reduces the amount of stagnant water in the line, and ensures that only the highest quality water reaches customers at all points throughout the system. However, flushing can be time consuming, expensive and result in wasted water.
In 1998, the invention of an advanced Automatic Flushing Device changed the face of flushing. With Hydro-Guard technology, automatic flushing units can be programmed to operate on a pre-set schedule by selecting day(s) of the week, time of day and duration of flush. Utilities in more than 35 states, Germany, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Canadian provinces have successfully used Hydro-Guard units to consistently:
- Increase disinfectant residuals and regulatory compliance while improving water quality
- Reduce color (red water) complaints
- Reduce objectionable tastes and odors
- Reduce THM (Trihalomethane) levels
- Reduce water waste
- Increase reliability of bacterial compliance samples
Manual
vs. Hydro-Guard Disinfectant Residual Over Time
While
manual flushing provides a one-time spike in residual levels, automatic
daily flushing with Hydro-Guard will maintain a more consistent residual
level.