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Wasilla council hears Public Works update as water-model flushing eases brown-water complaints; airport property flagged for acquisition
Summary
Public Works Director Eric Shaw told the council the city used a KYpipe hydraulic model to plan a high-velocity hydrant flush that cleared brown water in the downtown system, measured flows above 1,600 gallons per minute and validated model targets. Shaw also detailed progress on permits and wetland mitigation for a sewer project, sludge-digester
Eric Shaw, public works director, told the Wasilla City Council the department has been using new mapping and a KYpipe hydraulic model to guide water-system maintenance and capital work.
“We were able to use the KY pipe to facilitate a flushing event,” Shaw said, describing a late-evening test with the fire department that used a high-flow apparatus the presentation called a “hose monster.” Shaw said the model predicted 1,200–1,400 gallons per minute and that the field measurement exceeded 1,600 gallons per minute. He said the operation produced velocities above 3 feet per second and flushed brown water from downtown lines for roughly 45 minutes.
The test was scheduled at 9 p.m. to avoid the usage hump, Shaw said, and the city posted on Facebook to warn customers. “We flowed water for over an hour and, it was extremely successful,” he said, adding staff received no complaints from that event.
Why it matters: residents have reported brown or high-iron water in the downtown distribution system. The model and flushing tests give staff a…
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