Water News

Fire Hydrant Flushing – End-of-Line Break & Pressure Rise on Spit (5-25-26)

The recent fire hydrant flushing has caused temporary brown water and small particles to appear in the main line. Most of this sediment will naturally flush through to the end of the system. If you experience any discoloration or debris in your water, please follow these simple steps:
1. Remove the aerator fittings on your faucets and rinse the screens.
2. Check any water filters for excess debris.
3. Open an outdoor hose bib and let the water run until it runs clear.
The water outage occurred due to an original compression fitting that was not installed properly. The pressure changes during flushing caused the fitting to fail.
We also experienced increased pressure in the lower areas of the system. The Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) associated with this issue was already scheduled for a rebuild and will be serviced within the next few days.
Please ensure that your home has a PRV installed. The standard unit available at Home Depot is preset to 55 psi and can handle up to 400 psi of input pressure.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to call me.
Thank you,
Jess Morris, Water Commissioner
360-739-0441

New Water Meters: Program Overview and Benefits

The installation of new remote read water meters has been completed, and we are approaching one year of monthly readings.
The most significant improvement is the process of reading the meters. Previously, it required three staff, almost a week to complete the readings (in the rain and mud!). Now using a laptop and a couple of antennas, we drive through the system collecting the readings in less than an hour. The information is then downloaded into our computer system.

Early Leak Detection and Real-Time Monitoring

The new system offers immediate visibility into potential leaks. We can detect possible leaks on the customer’s side and address them before they become major issues. Additionally, real-time monitoring is now possible by comparing the number of gallons distributed throughout the system with the actual gallons consumed, as recorded by individual meters. As usage patterns are established for each household, we can identify anomalies such as higher-than-normal usage and promptly notify the homeowner.

Successes and Potential Enhancements

Already, the new meters have helped us discover and resolve a number of leaks preventing potential losses. Looking ahead, electronic billing is another feature that may be implemented to further streamline operations and enhance convenience for residents.

Meter Reading Process

If you see a truck with a Bridgehaven Water decal on the door and its flashers activated, rest assured that our team is simply conducting meter readings throughout the community.