Every year, water districts across the country wrestle with the issue of providing bulk water or "construction" water for temporary use. Traditionally, this is done by allowing customers access to fire hydrants. Water Districts provide customers with the necessary equipment, permits, etc., and the customer gets water as needed.
However, fire hydrants and the water system in general are at risk from abuse with the traditional means of bulk water supply, said Castle Rocks Utilities Manager, Billie Owens.
"We always felt fire hydrants have two uses - fire protection and a means for us to inspect and maintain our system."
Water hammer and damage to equipment are concerns, but the primary concern is water quality. Leigh Fenton, Castle Rocks Cross Connection Technician, said, "We have a very comprehensive cross-connection control program in Castle Rock and distribution of bulk water in the traditional means put that in jeopardy."
The town of Castle Rock, Colo., is the county seat for one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Consequently, they are familiar with the distribution of bulk or construction water and its problems.
"I was spending anywhere from four days to two weeks chasing down customers to get load reports and meter readings so we can invoice them," said Fenton. "We also had no idea what we were losing from theft and water loss."
So how does a water district deal with the bulk water problem? When the Town of Castle Rock was developing a new public utilities facility, they decided to create a bulk water station.
"We wanted something that allowed us to supply temporary use of water in a controlled fashion and still have protection of our system," said Owens. With the help of an independent engineering firm, the general and mechanical contractors, Castle Rock developed the concept of a permanent bulk water station.
Once the mechanical plan was complete, they teamed with Hot Box to design a custom enclosure that fit the station.
According to Fenton, "We knew of Hot Box from our experience in developing our backflow program, and in this climate, freezing was a certainty." The freeze-protected (to -30 degrees F) station allows both commercial and residential customers to buy water at a central location.
The station consists of meters and control valves for supplying the water and measuring it. Strainers protect the metering equipment and backflow assemblies that provide protection against cross-connection. All equipment is inside a vandal-resistant enclosure with lighting, heaters, and low-temperature alarms. Access to the station for maintenance, testing and repair is through one of three removable doors. There are drainage ports in the station, and it can be completely removed for major repairs.
Residential users can buy water using a coin box. They hook up their hose to a frost-free hydrant, put in some quarters and fill up. Commercial users are issued a credit card that can be programmed for them specifically. The station uses an electronic card-swiping device that allows the customer to insert his or her credit card, punch in a code on the keypad and receive the necessary water.
"These cards can be programmed any way the customer needs, like tracking usage by individual trucks and special billing references for specific jobs," Fenton explained.
This new station has saved labor already for Castle Rock. "I can now do all the billing for the bulk water in about an hour," noted Fenton. Both Fenton and Owens agreed that the station would save in equipment costs as well. It was costing Castle Rock about $1300 for a meter assembly and $50 to have the meters calibrated each year. A $1625 damage deposit from the customer was required for the meter assembly. Now a minimal service charge for a credit card and permit will make it easier for contractors to use. This is especially true for the smaller ones who dont have a lot of money to spend on deposits.
Castle Rock believes it will take about a year to know the total cost savings of the station. But they are optimistic, Owens said. "We are already looking at other locations for more stations."
"We are even considering some kind of portable unit that can be moved as needed." Fenton said.
Leigh and Billie do recommend the assistance of an independent engineering firm when considering a project like this.
