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City approves purchase of 8-inch pressure-sustaining valve to protect schools' water supply
Summary
The commission approved the procurement and installation of an 8-inch pressure-sustaining valve on Silver Street intended to preserve water pressure to local schools, hospital and health facilities during line failures; staff said the valve will reduce the risk of school closures from pressure loss.
City Manager Gary Whitehead described recent water-supply disruptions that forced school closures and said staff has identified a mitigation measure: installing an 8-inch pressure-sustaining valve at the top of Silver Street to preserve pressure to the schools and nearby health care facilities when main-line failures occur. Whitehead said locating and testing existing isolation valves and installing new control points will protect the looped distribution system and reduce the risk that a single line failure will force a school shutdown.
Whitehead told commissioners the contractor completed the valve procurement under a threshold change order and the city has already authorized installation; he asked the commission to ratify the purchase and move forward with project completion. Staff explained they plan to inventory and re-use the valve after system changes where feasible.
A motion to approve the purchase and proceed with the project carried on the record. Whitehead said staff is coordinating with school officials and the superintendent's maintenance staff on testing and operational procedures so the schools can isolate and restore service as needed.
