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Council hears water-line testing plan and flags inoperable hydrant and backflow questions
Summary
Staff briefed the council on disinfection and pressure testing of new water lines (including 200 PSI pressure hold and 24-hour criteria), recommended town sampling, discussed anti-backflow meter needs for hydrant draws, and noted discovery of an inoperable fire hydrant that staff will inspect and repair.
Staff explained procedures for disinfecting and testing newly installed water lines on Southfield Road: lines are disinfected, flushed and then must be pressure-tested — staff said contractors typically pump to 200 PSI and hold the system for testing. "They'll pump it up to 200 PSI, and it has to remain there for a lot of time before it because our we don't have 200 PSI, but that's the testing requirements," staff said.
Council and staff discussed options for sampling and analysis (ChemTek in Orem or a special service district) and recommended the town obtain independent samples to confirm residuals before placing the line into service. Staff also explained that temporary hydrant draws generally require an anti-backflow valve and meter and advised using a small valve rather than the hydrant barrel to avoid damage. During the exchange staff and council discovered an inoperable fire hydrant on private property; staff reported the hydrant's foot valve was shut or broken and arranged for excavation and repair by a contractor.
Why it matters: pressure and disinfection testing and proper backflow prevention protect the town's distribution system and public health; an inoperable hydrant raises operational concerns that staff will address before returning the system to full service.
