What's New At South Huntington Water?
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South Huntington Water District 2011 Commissioner Election Results
Incumbent Commissioner Ciro DePalo was re-elected to a 3-year term at the annual voting for Water District Commissioner held on Tuesday, December, 13, 2011. Running unopposed, Mr. DePalo received a total of 169 votes. He will re-join Commissioners Dominick P. Feeney and Paul Tonna in constituting the Board of Commissioners for the coming year.
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Hurricane Irene "Impacts" The South Huntington Water District
No one - and no thing - was immune from Hurricane Irene's impact when she came ashore on the morning of August 28, 2011. Just ask this South Huntington Water District fire hydrant which took a direct hit from a falling, storm-damaged tree!
But unlike this fire hydrant which had to just stand still and take what Irene decided to dish out, we weren't about to do the same thing. Although the District constantly maintain a lowered state of readiness for various emergencies, we ramped up our alert status throughout the week of August 21, 2011 in preparation for the approaching storm. On any normal day, the District is highly dependent upon LIPA electrical power to drive our well pumps, to run our treatment facilities, to track and adjust system pressures, to record flows, monitor reservoir levels and to light our buildings. Knowing that LIPA outages would be inevitable, we began the final inspections and tests of our large production site emergency generator sets. Located at key District facilities, these emergency power units start automatically upon sensing the loss of LIPA power and then produces the electricity that particular site requires to operate. Strategically located throughout the South Huntington Water District, these emergency generators can reliably produce enough water for our customers' base needs and also maintain adequate reserves for fire-fighting and other emergency preparedness uses. Once those final generator tests were completed, all of our on-site power units were "topped-off" with fuel on Friday afternoon, August 26, 2011.
As a further part of our emergency preparedness, we also slightly raised the chlorine residual in our distribution system during the week of August 21, 2011. This prudent precaution lessens the chance of bacteriological intrusion should high winds or flooding damage a District production facility, reservoir or water main. We also pre-positioned emergency supplies and equipment so that they would be readily available when needed. Emergency personnel were final-briefed on procedures and assignments. Finally, during the Saturday immediately preceding the hurricane, we completely filled our reservoir facilities. With the largest amount of water in elevated storage as possible, we thereby ensured a substantial time period of uninterrupted water supply even without any internal or external electrical power source at all. Although a highly unlikely event, we left nothing to chance.
The preparations paid off. At the height of Hurricane Irene, more than 75% of our facilities were without LIPA power, including our operations center in Huntington Station. However, we were able to continue our production and treatment operations uninterrupted. With District emergency crews on the job from before the storm hit until well into the following Wednesday - NOT A SINGLE SOUTH HUNTINGTON WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMER EVER LOST WATER SERVICE!
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Underground Traffic Report & "Call Before You Dig"
We've all seen those famous photographs of New York City excavations where the tangle of underground utilities resembles the proverbial bowl of spaghetti. While Long Island isn't quite that bad yet, as our population increases, so does our own underground traffic congestion. A recent water main break in Huntington Station seemed rather routine until digging began. Once excavated, it was found that the broken 6" water main was directly beneath a heavy concrete drainage pipe with minimal clearance between the two facilities. In order to fix the water main and restore service to the area, a Water District emergency crew neatly cut the large drainage pipe out of the way, allowing access to repair our water main. With the water main repair completed, a Town of Huntington Highway Department crew then reconnected the drainage pipes, another great example of inter-agency cooperation in the Town of Huntington.
South Huntington Water District Mechanic Peter Tischner prepares to remove the last section of concrete drain pipe so the broken water main can be repaired. Pete's left foot is on the water main, illustrating the very tight repair situation encountered.
By the way, with that underground congestion in mind, it's a good time to remind our customers - both commercial and homeowner alike - that it's a good idea to "Call Before You Dig" . From a mailbox post to a foundation excavation, if you go it alone, you can never be certain what you will encounter when you dig. Be safe rather than sorry. Call DigNet, The New York/Long Island One Call Center for the location of underground utilities before you dig. And, it's a free service!
1-800-272-4480
or visit them at:
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Construction Begins For Plant #3 Treatment System, Amityville Road, Melville
The final week of March, 2011 saw the ground breaking for construction at the District's Well Site #3 Complex on Amityville Road in Melville. Strategically located in northern Melville, this important two-well site is capable of providing just over 2,5000 gallons of water per minute to portions of Melville, West Hills and South Huntington. Plant #3 will now receive a state-of-the-art Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) water treatment system. The four GAC container vessels will be housed inside a new building with a residential style roof and an attractive brick exterior to match the existing two well structures on-site. The treatment building, specifically designed to present a low overall profile, will allow the GAC treatment system to operate year-round. Also during this project, the two existing pump units, their large electric drive motors, and most other associated mechanical equipment will be removed, inspected and replaced as necessary. Construction has been phased so that Well #3-3 will remain in service during the Summer's high-demand pumping season; it will then be rehabilitated during the Fall/Winter months of 2011. Another major site improvement will include a new emergency generator that will be capable of running the entire #3 Complex in the event of a power failure, ensuring safe drinking water and ample fire-fighting reserves following a hurricane or other natural disaster. Work at Plant #3 will continue into early 2012 with a projected completion date that will have the entire Site #3 on-line for early Spring, 2012.
Plant #3 construction marks the mid-way point of our current Capital Improvement Bond Projects. The Tank #13 Modernization Project and the Plant #15 and #4 GAC Treatment Projects have already bee completed on time and under budget. Waiting in the wings is the final job to be accomplished under this Bond, the Plant #7 Well Site Rehabilitation. Now in final design, we hope to see this vital project begin later on this year.
Infrastructure renewals and site modernizations are a never-ending part of South Huntington Water's commitment to bring you, our customers, a clean, safe, and affordable water supply.
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Plant #20 GAC Treatment, Informational Meeting
In order to help ensure a continued and plentiful supply of drinking water to our customers, the District will be installing a new, state-of-the-art Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system at its Well #20 on Rivendell Court in The Villages. The GAC system will be housed on District property in a new, aesthetically pleasing building, designed to be compatible with the architecture of the adjacent well house. The new treatment system is non-hazardous and will not generate any noise, odors nor additional traffic.
If you have an interest in the project, you are invited to attend an informational meeting to be hosted by the District on April 26, 2011, at 7:00 P.M. at the Half Hollow Hills Public Library, located 510 Sweet Hollow Road in Melville, New York.
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Congratulations To District General Administrator Richard Wurtz
After serving as Office General Administrator at South Huntington Water for 26 years, Richard Wurtz retired on December 31, 2010. Rich's innate business sense and good humor served the District and our customers well over that long and successful career. We extend our congratulations to Richard and his lovely wife Anna and wish them both the best in his retirement.
Retiring General Administrator Richard Wurtz (L) accepts engraved retirement clock from District Superintendent Kevin Carroll (R)
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ATTENTION ON-LINE BILL PAYERS!
It is interesting to see that an ever-increasing number of District customers are paying their water bills with on-line banking systems. We are pleased to accommodate this method of payment, but find many banks mistakenly send payment to our Administration Building here in Huntington Station.
That is incorrect - we cannot process water bills here.
Please take a moment now to contact your on-line bill payment service and have them direct your South Huntington Water District bill payments only to our centralized billing office located at:
South Huntington Water District
PO Box 9220
Uniondale, New York 11555-9220
If you have any questions regarding on-line bill payment - or in fact any billing matter - please call our knowledgeable Administrative Office staff at 631-427-8190, weekdays between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Thanks for your interest and cooperation!
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Welcome Aboard, Commissioner Dominick Feeney
The Huntington Town Board recently appointed long-time Huntington Station resident Dominick Feeney as an interim South Huntington Water District Commissioner. Mr. Feeney's appointment follows the recent passing of sitting Commissioner George Kopp. Commissioner Feeney will serve as Commissioner until December 14, 2010. On that date an election will be held to fill that position for the remainder of Mr. Kopp's unexpired term.
Commissioner Paul Tonna (L) administers Oath of Office to Dominick Feeney (C) as Commissioner Ciro DePalo (R) watches
Congratulations Commissioner Feeney!
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Water District Commissioner George Kopp - 1930 - 2010
It is with the deepest regret that we announce the passing of South Huntington Water District Commissioner George Kopp on July 12, 2010.
Our good friend and colleague George served continuously as a District Commissioner since 1965. In addition to faithfully serving our own Water District for more than half of its existence, George was also a moving force in the Long Island water supply industry. He was a past Chairman of the Long Island Water Conference, a former Chairman of the Nassau-Suffolk Water Commissioners' Association and a long-time member of the American Water Works Association.
Commissioner Kopp helped guide the South Huntington Water District through the great residential building boom of the 1960s and the tremendous growth of the commercial sector in Melville, which continues to this day.
Thank you, George. You will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
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"Long Island Robbers Pose As Utility Workers"
The above disturbing headline appeared in the Long Island newspapers recently. Robbers posing as water utility workers entered more than one Long Island home, intimidating the elderly owners to let them in by claiming they were there to check the homeowners' piping.
Please be advised that all South Huntington Water District employees carry a yellow Identification Card bearing their name, title and photos. Please don't be shy about asking to see it - we understand! Secondly, all service technicians are in uniform with the District logo on the shirt or jacket. Finally, all service technicians drive bright yellow trucks carrying the yellow District decal on the doors.
Uniformed South Huntington Water District Employee Will Chavez Drives Prominently Marked Water District Truck #7
All District Field Employees Are In Uniform And Drive Yellow Vehicles With This Decal
If you still have any doubt about the identification of a Water District employee, or if you have any security concerns at all about District facilities, do not hesitate to call the District Office at 631-427-8190.
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A BIT OF DISTRICT HISTORY
Every Long Islander is familiar with the sight of elevated water storage tanks, perched high atop their tall, steel "legs". They dot the Island landscape, often visible for great distances due to their height. These tanks perform a vital mission by storing water in reserve for periods of high consumption, including large fires. Additionally - and very importantly - because of the height of the water within, these elevated tanks create and maintain water pressure in the water mains below them.
But in South Huntington, we're often asked, "Where are your elevated tanks?". Well....we don't have any. Through a good fortune of Nature, the South Huntington Water District boundaries incorporate some of the highest terrain on Long Island. (In fact, Jayne's Hill, the highest point on Long Island at 399', is located right in West Hills). Years ago, with wonderful foresight, the Water District purchased parcels of land in these high elevation areas. The plan was to build South Huntington's reservoir tanks on these high elevations as the growth of the community continued. The Water District now operates two separate reservoir complexes on, and adjacent to, Jayne's Hill. Another large District reservoir site is located up in the high, rolling terrain of the Pidgeon Hill Road area. In essence, the naturally high elevation of the land becomes the "legs" for these tanks, giving them the needed height to maintain system pressure. Without the need for the complex and size-limiting traditional elevated tank construction, the South Huntington Water District has been able to build very large, but relatively low-profile water tanks on these hill tops. More water can therefore be placed into reserve at lower cost and at a lessened visual impact to the community.
There was one exception, though, and perhaps some of our more well-seasoned District customers will recall it!
Elevated tank construction, East 23rd Street and Nathan Place, circa....1930(?)
On East 23rd Street, between Hollis Place and Nathan Place in Huntington Station, a small, elevated steel storage tank once graced the skyline. Constructed early in the District's history (perhaps a knowledgeable viewer can identify the year of the car in the right, rear background of the photo?), the tank was designed to serve the north-eastern part of our distribution system. The old and badly bruised photo above shows part of the riser pipe being hoisted into place during construction. As the demands of the District grew and the East 23rd Street Tank outlived it's usefulness, new and far larger storage facilities were built on the high ridge off of Pidgeon Hill Road. The old steel tank was demolished in the late 'Sixties and is now the site of several homes.
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Thoughts Of Warm Summer In Frigid January
Like many of our customers, these dark, cold, and snowy January days have us thinking about this coming July. But we're not only dreaming of the barbeques and sunny beach days ahead - we're also preparing for the heavy water demand that the Summer of 2009 will inevitably bring.
On a typical Winter day, the Water District may pump as little as 4 to 5 million gallons of water. Many people are surprised to learn, however, that on a hot, steamy Summer day the District may quintuple that output, often pumping 24 to 25 million gallons of water a day during an extended heat wave. These high demand days require that our pumping and treatment equipment be working efficiently and at full capacity.
Above, District Treatment Plant Operator Ken Carsten Performs A Winter Overhaul On A Well Site Chlorinator
Naturally, then, with the system demand appreciably lowered, Winter becomes the ideal time to do preventative maintenance. All of our Sites get a complete electrical inspection with repairs and maintenance performed as required. Often times we will schedule to have a supply well "pulled" for inspection and replacement of components that normally reside hundreds of feet below grade. Treatment systems and small piping get a complete going over. Finally, we'll do minor but important building maintenance and painting.
So yes, like you, we're darn ready for Summer - but in more ways than one!
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On January 20, 2009, the Water District honored one of our veteran employees, Mr. Troy Manheim. The occasion marked Troy's 15th year of service with South Huntington Water where he is a seasoned Maintenance Mechanics and holds a coveted New York State Grade 2B Water Treatment Plant Operator's license. Additionally, Troy is a skilled backhoe operator and has a particularly close working knowledge of the District's remote-read water meter system. Mr. Manheim, his wife Caroline and their two children live in Huntington.
Congrats, Troy!
District Maintenance Mechanic Troy Manheim Accepts Service Award
(L to R) Chief Plant Operator Michael Feeney, Mechanic Troy Manheim, Superintendent Kevin Carroll, District Foreman Brian O'Donnell
(The combined Water District experience of these four employees alone totals over 100 years!)
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Ciro DePalo Takes Office As South Water District Commissioner
Following his election on December 9, 2008, Ciro DePalo assumed the office of Commissioner of the South Huntington Water District on January 1 of this year. Mr. DePalo was officially sworn-in by fellow Commissioner Paul Tonna at the first business meeting of the Board in 2009.
Commissioner Ciro DePalo (left) takes the oath of office from Commissioner Paul Tonna
While he may be new to the role of District Commissioner, many South Huntington Water consumers need no introduction to Ciro. A long-time Huntington Station resident, Ciro has strong and extensive ties to both the residential and business communities in the Water District. Leaning on the strengths gathered by owning and operating his own business in Huntington, Depalo has served on the Committee For The Betterment of Huntington, has sat on the BOCES Committee for Business Career Development and is also a past President of the Huntington Business Improvement District. Additionally, Ciro is very active with St. Hugh of Lincoln Church, serving on its school board, teaching religion classes there and serving on the Board of Directors of St. Hugh/St. Elizabeth Little League. Commissioner DePalo and his wife Lorraine have four children and three grandchildren.
Welcome aboard, Ciro!
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South Huntington Water District Commissioner Anthony R. Kropp Retires
After ten years of dedicated service to the South Huntington Water District, Commissioner Anthony Kropp retired from his position on December 31, 2008. Commissioner Kropp brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the District, drawing from his long and distinguished career in the United States Army (Brigadier General, retired) as well as from his own very successful contracting firm.
Thanks for all you've contributed to the Water District, Tony - we'll miss you!
Retiring Commissioner Anthony Kropp Accepts Commemorative Plaque At His Final Board Meeting, December 30, 2008.
Witnessing the Award Presentation are, left to right,:
District Counsel Michael McCarthy, District Administrator Richard Wurtz, Commissioner-elect Ciro DePalo, Commissioner Kropp, Commissioner Paul Tonna, Superintendent Kevin Carroll, District Engineer John Molloy
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South Huntington Water District Commissioner Election Results
December 9, 2008
In the Annual South Huntington Water District Elections held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Ciro DePalo of Huntington Station, New York was elected to a three-year term as Water Commissioner. Mr. DePalo's term begins January 1, 2009.
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NOTICE OF UPCOMING ELECTION
The annual election for the office of South Huntington Water District Commissioner will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM. For your convenience, there are two polling places – the North Cafeteria at the Walt Whitman High School on West Hills Road in Huntington and the King of Kings Lutheran Church on Old South Path in Melville. Any resident who has lived in the District for at least 30 days prior to the election and who is a registered voter is eligible to vote for Commissioner.
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Low Water Rates, Low Taxes, With The Highest Level of Service
A hot-button issue on Long Island is the high cost of living, whether it's the cost of goods and services or the cost of local taxes. Let’s examine the impact of the South Huntington Water District on these very important concerns.
South Huntington’s water billing rates remain the lowest on Long Island. Our few and modest rate increases over the years have been fueled mainly by costs beyond our control, including skyrocketing energy costs and strictly regulated water treatment methods. Nevertheless, South Huntington’s water supply is by far the least expensive of your utility bills. Take a look at the chart below which illustrates the comparative utility costs to a typical household in the South Huntington Water District:
A BREAKDOWN OF AN AVERAGE SOUTH HUNTINGTON WATER DISTRICT
HOMEOWNER’S MONTHLY PAYMENTS
FOR COMMON UTILITIES
Similarly, high taxes are always a controversial subject for Long Islanders. We understand that concern at the South Huntington Water District and despite our spiraling costs, we have made a particular effort to keep your taxes low. Take a look at the chart below which illustrates the tax bill of a typical homeowner in the South Huntington Water District and how that their tax dollar is distributed:
A BREAKDOWN OF THE AVERAGE
SOUTH HUNTINGTON WATER DISTRICT HOMEOWNER’S TAX BILL
As South Huntington residents ourselves, we too are concerned about the high cost of living on Long Island. And at the South Huntington Water District, we’re actually doing something about it!
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“HYDRANT DOWN, WATER RUNNING!”
At 2:30 AM on a cold and rainy morning this past January, a car traveling on Melville Road in Huntington Station failed to negotiate a turn, left the pavement and overturned on the front lawn of a residence. Along the way, the vehicle struck a Water District fire hydrant, severely damaging it and unleashing a torrent of water from below.
Alerted to the broken fire hydrant by officers of the Second Precinct, a District emergency response crew was dispatched and arrived on the scene in less than 30 minutes.
The first order of business was to stop the resultant flooding. Much like the small water fixtures in your own home, each fire hydrant has a shut off valve to stop the water for emergencies such as this. The valve, however, is much larger and is buried about 5’ below the pavement. An iron “valve box” with a removable cap, placed on grade, gives access to the buried hydrant valve. Depending on how close this valve box is to the damaged hydrant, the leaking water can make its location and then operation very difficult. In the photo below, emergency responders Mike McGovern (l) and Ken Carsten ( r ) have located the valve box, removed its cap, and inserted a long “key” to engage the valve operator. To give you an idea of how much water the damaged hydrant was originally leaking, the valve at this moment is already more than half-way off!
With the water off, the crew is not yet finished. The high pressure and sheer volume of the leaking water moves large amounts of soil and stones away from the hydrant and out into the street. Invariably, there is a resulting crater-like hole where the hydrant once stood. Before the emergency responders can leave, a temporary cleanup of the road must be made and the hole around the hydrant must be barricaded and made safe until the hydrant can be replaced. In this picture, the shutdown is being completed and crew member Troy Manheim has begun the area cleanup. Notice the sand in the roadway and the broken hydrant in the background. The final task for the evening is to notify the Fire Department that the hydrant is out of service; in an emergency, the Department can then plan to use an alternate hydrant.
Although there are other hydrants in the neighborhood, the South Huntington Water District always gives fire hydrant repairs its highest priority. Within a few days, a District repair crew begins the replacement project. The old hydrant is disconnected from the water main and removed. In the photo below you can see that the heavy bottom flange has been broken away (from about the 2 o’clock position to the 5 o’clock position) from its base by the car’s impact, causing the flood of water.
The existing hydrant connection piping is cleaned and prepared to receive the new fire hydrant. This new fire hydrant is a “traffic-style”, designed to let the upper portion break away in an auto accident. That way, the below ground portion of the hydrant will not be disturbed and a repeat of the earlier flooding condition should be avoided. The upper portion can then be easily repaired or replaced without excavation. This break away section can be seen in the photo below. It is the round, flanged area where the black portion of the hydrant transitions to the red paint. All of the black portion of the hydrant will be below ground. District Foreman Brian O’Donnell directs Senior Mechanic Dave DeGruchy as he lifts the new hydrant for installation.
The piping and new hydrant are disinfected with chlorine and then bolted together. Special care is given to securing the hydrant to the piping connection; tremendous forces can be generated by the pressure and volume of water that the hydrant is designed to flow. Here Maintenance Mechanics Chris Chan and Mike McGovern bolt the hydrant assembly to the water main.
When they are finished, the valve will be turned back on and the crew will check for leaks and proper hydrant operation. The excavation is then backfilled and the area is graded. In a few weeks the surrounding area will have topsoil added, grass seed planted and a fresh coat of paint applied to the hydrant.
Thanks to the professional and timely work of the South Huntington Water District repair personnel, the fire protection for the neighborhood is once again restored.
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Take Care When Disposing Of Unwanted Medications
The South Huntington Water District reminds our residents to not flush their unwanted medications – either prescription or over-the-counter – down the drain. It was once thought that flushing away unsuitable pharmaceuticals kept children and pets safe from accidental poisoning, but the South Huntington Water District reminds residents that this method is now outdated and is potentially harmful to our environment.
In some areas of the world, traces of these medications are finding their way into area lakes, streams, bays and even relatively shallow groundwater. In recent years, ecologists have come to realize that these drugs are having a minor but discernible effect on the aquatic life in the surface waters. Keeping these pharmaceuticals out of the wastewater stream will help ensure that these chemicals do not end up polluting our varied and precious water resources.
The White House Office of National Drug Control recently created a guideline for drug and medication disposal that includes:
· Take unneeded drugs out of their original containers and place them in with your solid waste materials.
· To keep these disposed medications further safe from domestic and wild animals, you can mix them with undesirable items such as kitty litter or coffee grounds. Further, you might wish to place them in impermeable containers such as empty cans or sealable bags.
Recent news stories have highlighted concerns about these same disposed medications finding their way into our drinking water. This issue has long been under study by the various State Health Departments and by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). To date, none of these regulatory agencies has issued testing standards for these constituents nor have they, in fact, determined if they constitute a hazard at all in the minute amounts in the instances where they have been detected. Long Island residents should be aware that the drinking water systems highlighted in the recent news accounts were surface waters, as opposed to our groundwater supply. Long Island’s deep aquifers are less susceptible to this type of pharmaceutical intrusion, being naturally filtered and protected by thick bands of clays, sands and gravels.
Nevertheless, the South Huntington Water District remains vigilant on these issues and is working closely with the USEPA and New York State Health Department on this and other water quality topics. In the interim, we ask your cooperation in the proper disposal of unwanted medications of any type.
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|
2007 Water District
Voting Results |
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Public Informational Meeting
On Monday, August 13, 2007
at 5:00 PM, the Water District will
host an informational meeting at the South Huntington Public
Library located at 145 Pidgeon Hill Road in Huntington Station.
Representatives of the District will be on hand to discuss the Water
District’s request for bond funding in order to make important
infrastructure improvements to three of its existing water supply
sites. All are welcome.
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How would you like to save more than $1,500.00?
Did you know that if you bought 1,000 gallons of a very popular bottled water at your local supermarket it would cost you $1,590.00?
However, if you bought that very same amount of water from the South Huntington Water District, it would cost you a whopping….$0.50!! That’s a cool savings of $1,589.50.
Oh, and by the way, we’ll throw in free delivery of our water right to your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no questions asked.
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Our current Annual Water Water Quality Statement is now on-line
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2006 Water District Voting Results
The annual vote for Water District Commissioner was held on Tuesday, December
12, 2006. The results are as follows:
Three-Year Term of Commissioner
George Kopp - 613 Votes
Mark Sciallo - 453 Votes
Commissioner Kopp Re-Elected
Complete Final Year of Open Commissioner Term
Paul Tonna - 704 Votes
Thomas Moore - 191 Votes
Commissioner Paul Tonna Elected
Water District Commissioners Paul Tonna (left) and George Kopp (right) congratulate each other following the annual District election held on December 12, 2006. Commissioner Tonna was elected to complete the term of the late Robert Richmond and Commissioner Kopp was re-elected to a three-year term.
Your Full Board of Water Commissioners, January 2007
Paul Tonna, George Kopp, Anthony Kropp
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Water Main Break!
With more than 260 miles of water main in our distribution system, the occasional water main break is an unfortunate fact of life. But when they do occur, South Huntington’s trained crew of distribution system Mechanics are more than equal to the task. Here are a few scenes from a recent main break in Melville during early January of 2007.
The first job is to shut the water off to the affected section of broken main. The needed valves are located approximately 4 1/2’ below the pavement and operated with a long, t-handled “key”. Here District Mechanic Chris Chan shuts off one of the required valves.
Veteran Maintenance Mechanic Dave DeGruchy operates one of the District’s two backhoes, skillfully and carefully exposing the damaged section of water main.
Before the 8” diameter main can be repaired, the external surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of soil and scale. Although the flow of water from the broken main has been substantially reduced at this point, we deliberately keep some water pressure on to prevent debris from entering the broken pipe. That protective effort is also aided by dewatering the trench; note the pump hose below the main.
The main break crew is always in motion and not all of the action is at the scene of the break. Excavated wet, muddy fill and broken pavement must be removed from the job site and dry, stable filled returned; this will act as a firm base for a safe roadway restoration. Once that is accomplished, hot asphalt must be picked up and transported to the site, completing the road restoration. Here, Mechanic Will Chavez pilots the District’s dump truck, delivering dry sand to the repair site.
This particular main break is a classic “ring break” or a crack around the circumference of the cast iron 8” main. Since there has been no severe deflection of the pipe ends, it can be repaired with a split, heavy-duty stainless steel and neoprene clamp. When properly installed and tightened, the strong but flexible steel shell will compress the neoprene lining against the water main, sealing off the crack. Here’s a good look at the clamp before installation. Other types of repairs – displaced breaks, longitudinal cracks, “blow-outs”, joint leaks and construction accidents – may very well require that large sections of main be replaced.
The main has been thoroughly cleaned, the clamp centered and the compression bolts are being installed and tightened. District Foreman Brian O’Donnell (right) instructs the District’s newest employee, Mechanic Sean McHugh (left).
When the main valves are first turned back on, the disturbed water may contain small amounts of rust and trapped air. This is quite normal and the resulting discoloration is not a health concern. To more quickly clear up the water, we flush fire hydrants in the vicinity of the repair to bring new water into the area.
Sean gives the thumbs-up – the water is fully back on to the neighborhood and there is not a drop of water from the repaired main. There is still a lot of work to be done, though. The excavation has to be backfilled with clean, dry fill and compacted to prevent settlement. The crew will then add road base material, tamp that and finally pave the site with hot asphalt.
Congratulation to the South Huntington Water District Distribution Crew on another fine job, performed efficiently and safely.
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Water District Employees Honored For Dedicated Service at December, 2006 Holiday Luncheon
Commissioner Tony Kropp presents District Office Manager Dianne Rapczyk with a handsome plaque for her ten years of service with South Huntington Water.
District Superintendent Kevin Carroll (right) congratulates Chief Plant Operator Michael Feeney (left) on his 30th year of employment with the Water District. The two veteran employees share more than sixty years of combined experience at South Huntington Water.
The service awards were presented at the annual District Holiday Luncheon held on December 29, 2006. Left to right are Michael Feeney (30 years), Mary Lou Noonan (5 years), Commissioner George Kopp, Mary Ann Accardi (5 years) and Commissioner Anthony Kropp. Not pictured are employees who also received awards, David Degruchy (25 years) and William Chavez (5 years).
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Dedication Ceremony Of
Newly Constructed Well #20
In Memory Of The Late Commissioner Robert H. Richmond - October, 2006
Commissioner George Kopp delivers opening remarks to the guests, including members of the late Bob Richmond's family. Superintendent Kevin Carroll presented Mrs. Richmond with ceremonial scissors which she used to officially open Plant #20 in Melville.
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