Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County sends jail pipe and water samples for analysis after repeated leaks; experts, architects to be consulted
Summary
County facilities staff reported continuing leaks and pinhole failures in jail plumbing, has sent samples to the manufacturer and to a laboratory for water analysis, and will consult the original architects and mechanical engineers after test results.
County facilities staff told commissioners on Sept. 9 that the county is investigating repeated leaks and pinhole failures in the jail’s hot-water piping and has begun sampling pipe and water to determine the cause before recommending repairs or replacement.
Facilities staff said the county has been repairing leaks for roughly five years and that failures are appearing more frequently. The county has sent pipe samples to the manufacturer for evaluation and taken water samples from multiple points in the jail and other county locations so a laboratory can test for water quality issues that might accelerate corrosion. Staff also said they have contacted the original architect and mechanical consultant for the building to review specifications and to help determine whether design, materials, installation or water chemistry is at fault.
Why it matters: the jail circulates a large volume of hot water continuously; ongoing failures create maintenance costs, disruption risk and potential capital-replacement decisions. Staff said a full building assessment might be required and that initial engineering quotes could be large.
Facilities staff noted the pipe manufacturer named in the meeting materials is Mueller and that the piping installed was a particular commercial/residential grade referenced in the original specifications (meeting discussion referenced pipe types commonly labeled K, L or M). Staff emphasized the county is awaiting laboratory and manufacturer feedback and will report results to the commission before recommending a larger replacement project. The presenter said laboratory testing may help identify whether failures are caused by water chemistry (for example, iron or other constituents), erosion from high velocity or electrochemical factors such as galvanic corrosion.
No final remedy or contractor selection was made at the meeting. The facilities presenter said he would circulate results to commissioners when tests return and would coordinate next steps—including whether to engage architects, mechanical engineers or specialty contractors for a full building assessment—once the tests identify likely causes.
