Successful Water Conservation Begins With A Plan

by A. H. Burton

CONSERVATION COMES IN MANY FORMS AND OFTEN IN UNSEEN ways. Just like navigating a ship through fog, water conservation is achieved by utilizing instruments. One such instrument used by the City of Berwyn is metered water loss. Reducing water loss from 47 percent to 5 percent is a major achievement in conserving one of our most precious natural resources — water.

The City of Berwyn receives water from the City of Chicago and has relied on the supply since 1900. Berwyn has about 45,000 people covering 4 square miles. Berwyn also has about 16,000 dwellings and 1,000 commercial structures.

Successful water conservation begins with a plan. Thomas Martirano, director of Public Works, needed to determine the parameters of the water system that pumps 5.5 million gallons of water a day. The cornerstone of the conservation plan rests with water meter accuracy and monitoring test results. Comparing the subterranean water flow with test results provides the Public Works Department with needed information to conserve water.

The program areas identified for the water conservation were residential water meters, commercial water meters, fire hydrants, recalibrating pumping station operations, leak detections, water main repairs, and water valve repairs. With an inventory and assessment of these variables, work began to increase accuracy and water conservation.

Many of the structures in Berwyn were built in the 1920s through the 1940s. Water meters were also installed in that same time period. After evaluating the accuracy of the old meters, it came as no surprise that the meters were not recording accurate counts. Replacing old meters with new meters, provided better water readings and greater accuracy. Instead of under recording water usage, each meter recorded the proper volume of water.

Annual inspection of 800 fire hydrants revealed 200 hydrants were malfunctioning. The hydrants were leaking into the ground through the weep hole. Consequently, water would seep into the ground undetected. Many of the replacement parts for the hydrants could not be obtained. Therefore, 230 new hydrants were installed. Annual inspection and timely replacement of malfunctioning hydrants increased the conservation of water.

Detection of water leaks in the 100 miles of water mains revealed 183 leaks. The survey identified exact locations of any breaks in the system. The water division repaired all of the leaks. If the leaks were not detected and repaired, the water would continue to flow underground. The annual evaluation of the entire water system provided a clear set of departmental objectives for the year. By correcting system degradation in the field, the pumping stations experienced smoother water distribution.

To reduce re-occurring leaks, the City of Berwyn had to overcome two obstacles. The first obstacle was to recalibrate the water station operations, thus reducing water hammer in the system. Water hammer is the "thump" of water in a pipe, caused by an air lock, when a faucet is suddently closed. New equipment was installed replacing the out-dated pumps, gauges and valves.

Secondly, water main valves needed replacement. Again, 800 water main valves were evaluated. The inspection identified 75 valves with bent stems, 138 leaking valves that could not be shut completely, 66 broken valves that could not be opened. The closed valves contributed to water hammer and re-occurring leaks. Over the years, substantial reduction of leaks has been documented in the field.

Field detail and accuracy has been the source of a new base map which is kept in the office and in each truck. All related information is maintained on file as a continuous source of management data. Documentation on each valve in the field is properly recorded, such as the number of turns to fully close a valve, location, directions, and valve history.

The success of water conservation rests in the dedicated work by the staff and leadership of the department. Success also rests in the daily work flow of exercising valves, flushing fire hydrants, early leak detection, water meter replacement, and continuous monitoring of the amount of water pumped.

Results of a subterranean water conservation program are difficult to see. However, navigating through the program is not impossible with good instruments and a good captain.

About the Author:

Alan H. Burton, CLP, is Director of Parks and Recreation at the Norridge Park District,

Illinois Parks and Recreation 24 May/June 1991