Temple Terrace approves Hydrostop equipment to let staff isolate water mains without shutdowns

The City of Temple Terrace council voted June 16 to buy Hydrostop InstaValve equipment and associated training for the water utility, a purchase staff said will let crews install new isolation valves without shutting off service.

Public Works Director Jason Warnefield told the council the permanent insertion valve enables staff to add an isolation point on an active water main, improving system control and removing the need for emergency shutdowns. Funding will come from contingency reserves in the water and sewer utilities fund.

Warnefield illustrated the potential savings by citing a recent emergency valve installation: "about a 4 to 5-hour delay and the charge, if I remember correctly, was right around $20,000 for the service for a one-time valve," he said. Staff said having the system in-house would remove most emergency labor and contractor response fees.

Councilmembers asked whether the tool applies to sanitary sewer or storm systems; Warnefield said the device is targeted to the water distribution network and that some components are not transferable because of sanitary concerns. He described the equipment as durable with replaceable drill heads and said the system itself should last years with routine maintenance.

After brief questions about training and expected durability, the council moved, seconded and adopted the resolution to purchase the Hydrostop equipment and training in the amount of $148,922.29. The motion carried with no recorded opposition in the meeting transcript.

Next steps include procurement and scheduling of staff training so the utilities division can begin in-house installations rather than relying on outside contractors.