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How ice pigging works — what Port Ludlow residents were told
Summary
Olympic Water & Sewer described ice slurry pigging as an alternative to styrofoam pigs and extended flushing; presenter cited case studies claiming much higher sediment removal and said the process uses an ice slurry pumped through hydrants into mains and measured with a flow analysis system.
At the village presentation, Olympic Water & Sewer outlined the ice slurry (ice pigging) process and equipment that will be used to scour sediment from water mains.
"The ice being a fluid, it's able to conform to different size pipes and bends and shapes," a presenter in the demonstration video said, describing a tank of ice that is pumped through a 2.5‑inch hose into a fire hydrant and into the main. White said the contractor will use a flow analysis system (FAS) at discharge points to measure gallons per push, pressure, temperature, humidity and conductivity so crews can confirm all slurry is out of the line before returning the system to normal.
White explained that ice slurry pigging is an alternative to styrofoam pigs, which sometimes get stuck; ice slurry creates a pushing medium that can adapt to bends. He cited studies and case experience — including Brewster, Washington — that reported significantly greater sediment removal than flushing. The presentation also noted that some jobs can be completed in under two hours for a push, though run lengths in Port Ludlow may be up to about 3,000 feet for some pushes.
The village will post run maps so residents can see insertion and discharge points for each day's work.
