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State Recommendations for Municipal use of Cycle Stop Valves
Many states mandate the size of water towers or hydro tanks as per the number
of connections. As far as we know, no state dictates which type of control valve
can be used, only the size of the tank required. Cycle Stop Valves can be used with
water towers or hydro pneumatic tanks of any size. However, the Cycle Stop Valve
controls the output of the pump to exactly match the demand, which limits or
eliminates the need for pressurized or elevated storage. Water to be used for
emergency situations such as power out conditions, can be much better and less
expensively met, by using standby generators or backup pumps powered by an
alternative fuel. Many studies have been done on the effectiveness of precise
control of the pump using "constant pressure controls", including a report written
by the United States Department of Agriculture. (See USDA Report on Cycle
Stop Valves.) Unfortunately, many engineers do not understand that pumps do not
know the difference between supplying water for peanuts, pigs, or people.
Therefore, many states are unable to take advantage of this new and beneficial
technology. While waiting for approval of "constant pressure" technology, states
are wasting millions of dollars on Water Towers and huge Hydro Pneumatic tanks
that could be put to much better use on things like roads, schools, and welfare of
the people. As much as 14% of our precious fresh water supplies are also being
wasted to leaks in the piping systems caused by water hammer. Most of this
water-hammer is caused by pumps cycling on and off as controlled by water towers
and pressure tanks. Water-hammer could be eliminated by "constant pressure"
controls such as Cycle Stop Valves saving billions of gallons of our precious water
supply.
Some states have engineers who keep up with new and beneficial technology.
These states are decades ahead of other states who simply sit back and wait for
legislators to change the rules that would allow new technology to be used. One
state, which was first to accept this new technology is the State of Washington.
The Design Manual for the State of Washington has had guidelines and
recommendations for tank sizing when using "constant pressure" valves for many
years. Another state which is light years ahead of most is the State of Florida.
In Florida, even the code for a small water system allows the use of "constant
pressure" valves instead of using large pressure tanks. The State of Michigan is
another state whose engineers understand the benefits of constant pressure
technology. Other states such as Montana have allowed systems to test "constant
pressure" methods, and are slowly realizing the benefits and cost savings to their
developers and tax payers. Still other states have rules that allow the use of any
type control as long as it makes since for the particular water system. The State
of Texas however, is one in which variances for tank regulations will not be
accepted. Texas and some other states continue to waste money on water towers
and large hydro tanks as well as wasting 14% of their fresh water supplies to leaks.
Many water systems in the State of Texas have added Cycle Stop Valves to their
systems along with approved large tanks, to stop water hammer, leaks, and large
swings in supply pressure. In spite of the fact that Cycle Stop Valves eliminate
the need for these large tanks, operators can easily see the benefits of "constant
pressure". There are many systems in Texas that have been using Cycle Stop
Valves for many years that could be studied. Engineers for the State of Texas
are still using water system technology that was developed by the Greeks and
Romans.
Many cities and other countries have embraced the idea of "constant pressure"
control and have saved millions by not using water towers and large hydro tanks.
Cities as large as 40,000 people are operating with a "constant pressure" pump
control system and a single 80 gallon pressure tank. Countries in which Cycle Stop
Valves are precisely controlling water systems include Canada, Mexico, Jamaica,
Philippines, and others.
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