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Kingston,Mi | The device sounds like a low or reduced pressure anti-backflow prevention device, essentially protects the source from sucking water back into circulation. They have a series of valves that allows water to flow one direction only. If the pressure from the source is lost, the tendency may be to siphon back to the source. A simple check valve will not provide this protection reliably. Michigan requires this valve before any and all outdoor uses such as hydrants. The only alternative was a special hydrant that uses a pressure tank to exhaust water at the surface rather than the stop and waste valve at the bottom of the hydrant. Cost difference was less than $100 for your common Woodford hydrant and over $800 for the fancy version, everyone selected the low pressure anti-backflow device at $200 to 300. They do require a certified plumber to check the operation of each of the valves each year.
Do all outdoor hydrants in Michigan have this protection or the high price alternative, not by a long shot. We designed water systems for pasture live stock pasture systems which required the low pressure anti-backflow prevention device to get its certification. Health Dept. was very diligent on this item.
A village near here had used several 20,000 gallon tanks behind the village hall, they replaced it with a Harvestor "blue tombstone" that is about 80 feet tall and 12 ft. in dia., the height provides plenty of pressure and an adequate reserve vol. for a similar sized village but it is on pool table flat ground. The water system was updated with assistance from Rural Development at your friendly USDA building. A few refused to hook up to the new water and the associated sewer system, they have the bill attached to the title, so someone will pay for it whether they use it or not when the property is transferred.
When our little village had a chance to update the small water tower with a used tower from nearby city that was increasing their water tower capacity. The used tower was purchased for $1.00 (that's right 100 pennies) then had to build a new base and pay to have it cut apart, transported 50 miles, re-erected and painted, which I believe ran about $150,000 about 20 years ago.
There are firms that specialize in not only erecting new towers but in recycling older towers. | |
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Our community water system EPA violation: low pressure
