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Plumbing News
City of Tampa to install new water supply line
TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- A new pipeline project aimed at solving chronic water pressure problems is on the way for south Tampa residents.
Right now, Tampa water workers routinely maintain the decades-old underground water pipeline. The aging and deteriorating pipelines are blamed for water pressure problems in a number of Tampa neighborhoods.
South Tampa resident Craig Lane gets decent water pressure as he waters some freshly-laid sod on his lawn, but there are certain times of day when that isn't the case.
"You can't give your two-year-old a bath while your wife is doing the dishes," Lane said. "You know, it gets pretty annoying."
The pipeline will run from the water treatment facility in north Tampa to the Bay to Bay area of south Tampa.
The city plans to install brand-new 12-mile-long water supply line to help alleviate these problems. The pipeline will stretch from the water treatment facility in north Tampa to the Bay to Bay area of south Tampa.
The water department is notifying the residents in the area and deciding on the route the waterline will take. Officials with the department said they expect to recommend a preferred route to Mayor Pam Iorio and her administration this week.
The installation of the pipeline will post a challenge for the department. The pipe ranges in diameter from 36 inches to 48 inches, and all of it will be buried underground.
Tampa resident Jim White said he welcomes the relief the pipeline will bring, but he dreads the installation process.
"When they come in and tear up the roads around here to put pipelines in, it really disturbs the traffic and everything," he said.
On the other hand, Lane said he doesn't mind the inconvenience if it means better water pressure in the long run.
"For the expensive tax base down here, I think we deserve a little better water pressure," he said.
The construction of the pipeline is expected to begin next spring.
The High Cost of Leaks - Stop Flushing Your Money Down the Drain
Tampa, FL June 26, 2008 - Water leaks can be very expensive, even if you can not hear them. Leaks on the customer side of the meter may be registering lost water 24 hours a day for the entire 60 day period between readings. If your water bill is high, you may have a leak.
Make sure you are getting the most out of the water you are being billed for by checking for and repairing leaks. The first step in checking for a leak is to read your meter and not use any water for 30 minutes. Then read the meter again. If the dial has moved, it indicates that water has gone through the meter and that you may have a leak.
Faucets, toilets and sprinkler systems are the most common sources of leaks. Worn washers, leaky flappers or broken sprinkler heads can be easily repaired by those with do-it-yourself experience. Larger leaks or more complicated repairs may require the services of a licensed professional.
Customers can request low-flow faucet aerators, low flow showerheads, toilet leak detection tablets and brochures on saving water at Drain DoctorsFL.com. or by calling (813) 961.7808
The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Drain Doctors, Inc Is Proud to Announce:
June 20, 2008 - On behalf of Drain Doctors, Inc. (DDI), we would like to announce Doug Hunt (Plumbing Team No. 1 Field-Supervisor) has successfully completed the Florida Code training program. Upon completion of this training and testing, he joins the extended Pelky Family with the Title of ‘Master Plumber’. His perseverance to educate and instruct the next generation of plumbers has demonstrated his dedication to our trade. Additional news about Doug furthering our Service Area to include the Polk/Seminole/Orange /Osceola Counties will be forthcoming in the summer months 2008. We would like to thank you also, Doug for your continued support and dedication to DDI in the coming year.
Tampa Water Department to Host Open Houses for New Water Pipeline Project
June 11, 2008 - The City of Tampa Water Department will host two open houses to provide information on a new pipeline project. The new pipeline will deliver drinking water to points throughout Tampa between the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility in the northeast to the Bay to Bay area in the southwest.
The first open house will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the George M. Steinbrenner Family Boys and Girls Club (West Tampa), located at 1301 North Boulevard. This open house will provide information for the section of the project generally bounded by Habana Avenue to the west, Nebraska Avenue to the east, Columbus Drive to the north and Kennedy Boulevard to the south.
The second open house will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Christ the King Church, located at 821 South Dale Mabry Highway. This open house will provide information for the section of the project generally bounded by Dale Mabry Highway to the west, Armenia Avenue to the east, North A Street to the north and the Selmon Crosstown Expressway/Bay to Bay Boulevard to the south.
City of Tampa representatives will be present to answer questions and discuss the alternate pipeline routes.
For additional information, please contact India Williams with CH2M HILL at (813) 874-0777
Shutdown of Tampas Reclaimed Water System Scheduled
Tampa, FL June 9, 2008 - Reclaimed water will be unavailable to customers on Thursday morning, June 12, 2008. Tampa’s entire reclaimed water system will be temporarily shutdown for maintenance upgrades. Work is expected to begin after midnight on Thursday morning and continue until late morning.
The system upgrades are part of an ongoing program to improve the reclaimed water quality and prepare for system-wide flushing activity scheduled for the fall. For more information, customers can contact a Reclaimed Water Customer Service Representative at (813) 282-7827.
Be among the first to learn about reclaimed water news. Subscribe to the new Reclaimed Water Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed and receive up-to-date information according to your personal schedule. Receive the feed on your PC, PDA, cell phone or other electronic communication device. The information can even be automatically re-posted on your community or business web site. Sign up or find more information on this service at www.tampagov.net/appl_rss_feeds/.
Using reclaimed water for irrigation conserves Tampa’s drinking water supply, frees homeowners from watering restrictions and reduces the need to frequently fertilize due to the nutrient content of the water. To find out more about Tampa’s reclaimed water, including current service availability, visit www.TampaGov.net/ReclaimedWater or call (813) 282-7827.
The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Wednesday Space Station Task: Plumbing
HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- Residents aboard the international space station were getting ready to take on a new task Wednesday: plumbing.
The space station's toilet broke two weeks ago.
The problem -- confined to the urine side of the commode -- has forced the orbiting outpost's crew of an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts to flush manually with extra water several times a day.
Space shuttle Discovery brought up a new pump for the testy toilet, as well as the space station's newest room, a $1 billion Japanese lab.
The mundane task of installing the 35-pound pump and hoses was to fall to Oleg Kononenko, one of the two Russians, on Wednesday morning. The job was expected to last two hours.
"We'll see (Wednesday) afternoon if that does the trick or if we need to figure out another solution," said Emily Nelson, a space station flight director.
In addition to fixing the toilet, the shuttle and space station crews planned to make power, data, air and water connections on the newly installed lab, named Kibo, which means hope in Japanese
Raytheon, DEP to discuss tainted wells with residents
ST. PETERSBURG (Bay News 9) -- Residents will be able to meet Friday night with officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Raytheon Company to discuss their concerns over contaminated wells.
Tests confirmed in April that some irrigation wells in the Azalea neighborhood of St. Petersburg are tainted with toxic chemicals from the nearby Raytheon Plant. Experts with the Centers for Disease Control say the chemical, 1,4 dioxane, could cause problems like kidney and liver damage, as well as cancer.
Some residents said they are not only concerned about the possible health implications, but that they also worry about the impact the contamination will have on their property values.
"At this point in our lives, it be property values," said Jane Lee Cobb, who lives in the Azalea neighborhood.
"It's going to be very difficult to sell a house at this point in this particular neighborhood," said Joe Colbert, who also lives in the neighborhood. "I don't think it's right."
Colbert said he hasn't used his well in weeks.
"We're very concerned about using the well at this point," he said.
Colbert, along with several of his neighbors, were warned that their irrigation wells may be contaminated on April 30.
Testing has confirmed that some of the irrigation wells in the neighborhood are contaminated by a toxic plume of industrial waste from a nearby Raytheon plant.
Residents like Colbert said they want to know why they were only told recently about the problem when it's been happening for years.
"My wife and I are both very concerned about the fact that there was no notification for 16 years," he said.
People who live in the neighborhood will have the chance to ask these questions at a meeting Friday at 7 p.m. in the Raytheon headquarters at 1501 72nd St. N. Raytheon leaders will speak with the residents about their concerns.
Officials with the Department of Environmental Protection said they will be available at 6 p.m. at the same location to meet with residents who have questions about the testing process and the results of those tests.
Residents of the neighborhood said they would like Raytheon to pay for a reclaimed water system to use instead of their wells. Some of the residents have also filed a lawsuit, asking for clean-up of the waste, financial damages and medical monitoring.
Space station's sole toilet out of order
WASHINGTON (AP) -- May 28, 2008 CNN.COM
The international space station's lone toilet is broken, leaving the crew with almost nowhere to go. So NASA may order an in-orbit plumbing service call when space shuttle Discovery visits next week.
Until then, the three-man crew will have to make do with a jury-rigged system when they need to urinate.
While one of the crew was using the Russian-made toilet last week, the toilet motor fan stopped working, according to NASA. Since then, the liquid waste gathering part of the toilet has been working on-and-off.
Fortunately, the solid waste collecting part is functioning normally.
Russian officials don't know the cause of the problem, and the crew has been unable to fix it.
The crew has used the toilet on the Soyuz return capsule, but it has a limited capacity. They now are using a backup bag-like collection system that can be connected to the broken toilet, according to NASA public affairs officials.
"Like any home anywhere, the importance of having a working bathroom is obvious," NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said.
The 7-year-old toilet has broken once before but not for as long a time, said Johnson Space Center spokeswoman Nicole Cloutier in Houston.
Discovery is already set for launch Saturday, with a planned docking with the space station Monday.
Cloutier said NASA officials are considering having some parts flown to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and placed in the shuttle during its countdown, an unusual and delicate situation. Because the shuttle's payload weight is limited and balance carefully calculated, it will be tricky to try to figure out where the parts can go, said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bill Johnson
Discovery's main payload, a 32,000-pound Japanese laboratory addition, is so big that the shuttle's boom sensor system had to be removed to make room for the lab.
Storm Sewer Work to begin
May 23, 2008 - Work is set to begin for the new Temple Heights Road storm water system. The project will replace approximately 672 linear feet of concrete pipe, including manholes and grate inlets. The new system will help reduce street and yard flooding in the neighborhood. The new piping replaces an existing system that is aged and deteriorated.
The work will require the temporary closure of Temple Heights Road as of May 27, 2008. Local traffic access will be maintained for the residents. The detour route will consist of 50th Street, 97th Avenue and Takomah Trail.
The project was planned and designed by the Storm water Department. The $189,314 contract was awarded to WDG Construction, Inc. and onsite activities are expected to begin in late May 2008. Completion is expected at the end of November 2008. Funding for this project was provided from the Storm water Fund.
For additional information regarding the project, please contact Contract Administration Department Director David Vaughn, AIA, at (813) 274-8568 or david.vaughn@tampagov.net.
Toilet water to tap water? The risks, the rewards
Sunday, May 25, 2008 As alarming as the idea of drinking water contaminated with waste can be, there is one water district that has been able to successfully clean up wastewater so that it is safe for people to drink. Last winter, the Orange County Water District unveiled its Groundwater Replenishment System, which takes wastewater and turns it into tap water.
The three-step process begins when the wastewater comes into the facility, where it is sucked up by thousands of tiny straws (about three-hundreths of the size of a human hair) which filters out the bacteria and microbes. After that, the water goes through reverse osmosis, where the molecules are forced through a sheet of plastic. Finally, the water is exposed to ultraviolet light and mixed with peroxide, a process that ensures not even the tiniest microbe can survive.
While the water is safe to drink, the idea of "toilet to tap" water has upset California residents enough that several incarnations of the water recycling plan have been scrapped. However, the state's water issues have become so critical - due to development and drought - that the Orange County Water District was finally able to launch their system. The success of the plant is contagious, so to speak; San Diego, which imports the majority of their water, is looking to build a similar system of their own.
Tampas 2007 Water Quality Report Is Now Available
Tampa, FL May 14, 2008 - The results are in. When you turn on the faucet in Tampa you are getting some of the best water in the state, thanks to the Tampa Water Department. Annually the Tampa Water Department produces and distributes a Water Quality Report for analyses performed on its water in the previous calendar year. The report contains information on Tampa’s water sources, how the water is treated, how the water is tested, specific test results for any compounds detected in Tampa’s water and other helpful information. Additionally, those who may have been concerned by recent reports about drinking water containing unregulated pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other potentially harmful compounds can be reassured that Tampa’s water is safe. As part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and safety, recent testing commissioned by the City revealed no detectable amounts of typical unregulated environmental contaminants and pharmaceuticals in its treated water. Tampa Water Department customers will receive a copy of the 2007 report enclosed in their City of Tampa Utility bills between May 12 and July 1. Users who do not receive an individual City of Tampa Utility bill or other interested persons can view this year’s Water Quality Report at www.TampaGov.net/WaterQuality or request one at (813) 274-8121 Ext. 1010. Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Mayor Issues Memo Outlining Policy Direction for Reclaimed Water
May 12, 2008 - The city of Tampa Wastewater Department produces approximately 55 million gallons of highly treated reclaimed water every day. This water is a valuable resource for the city of Tampa.
Over the past five years our city has taken steps to use our reclaimed water to reduce our reliance on potable water. This is important both environmentally and financially. The city has reached the end of its permitted ability to withdraw water for potable use. As a result, we have had to buy more water from Tampa Bay Water, which significantly increases the cost to our customers. Last year we instituted a pass thru cost to our water customers to pay for the additional water purchased from Tampa Bay Water.
We are moving forward with negotiations and plans to serve the large users with reclaimed water in the four areas identified. Additionally, thanks to your support of our five-year water rate plan, we are moving forward with the design of some reclaimed projects that will reduce or avoid significant use of potable water for irrigation.
Recently, we have been in discussions with the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Water Partners, Inc. over the possible use of our reclaimed water for a project that includes TECO and Mosaic. We have entered into an MOU so those discussions can continue. While we always want to be helpful regional partners, we must look first to the water needs of the city of Tampa. We must consider how our reclaimed water will help our citizens by reducing their reliance on potable water and keeping their rates low.
Accordingly, I have directed our staff to accelerate the completion of a 20-year plan to use all our reclaimed water and reduce our reliance on potable water within the city of Tampa. The plan will include our Large User Expansion, exploration of other industrial and recharge uses, and a dramatic expansion of reclaimed water for irrigation to individual homes. The plan could include building a small wastewater plant in the New Tampa area so that New Tampa could be served with reclaimed without the costly extension of pipes from our current plant. The plan will also define potential future partnerships with Tampa Bay Water and the Southwest Water Management District that either help improve the environment or reduce Tampa’s consumption of potable water.
This 20-year plan will involve a different approach to STAR than the one adopted previously. The previous approach did not require any upfront charge to the homeowner; consequently the price of the reclaimed water is not low enough to encourage use. We cannot continue to use this approach and have a successful residential reclaimed water program. The model followed in most communities is the establishment of a one-time charge and much lower rates for the reclaimed water. We will be looking into various funding models and will be making a recommendation that is fair and cost effective for homeowners.
We plan to bring a proposed ordinance to you this year which will outline the 20-year plan and establish guidelines and methodology for large users as well as residential customers.
I look forward to working with you on this important program. I also want to thank Councilman Miranda for his counsel on this issue. He serves as the city’s representative on Tampa Bay Water and I am appreciative of his knowledge and insights. Effective use of our reclaimed water will reduce our use of potable water, reduce costs to our water customers and will have a significant benefit to our environment.
Thank you for your continued interest and support,
Mayor Pam Iorio
City of Tampa Florida
Arsenic levels have been found to be higher than normal in parts of the county.
HERNANDO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- More tap water is being identified as unsafe in Hernando County. Since February Hernando County Health Department workers have tested about 320 wells in the southeast part of the county. Workers have found that 105 of them have arsenic levels above the maximum contamination level of 10 parts per billion.
Ann-Gayl Ellis with the Hernando County Health Department said so far they've been able to handle the growing test area. "It's going well," Ellis said. "We have bumped up our man-power to get out there and get the wells tested, but it's going very smoothly." For $65 the Health Department will send someone out to a home if people want their water tested, and if a high level of arsenic is found -- a new test area is set up. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is helping homeowners who have those elevated levels by giving them filters and healthy drinking water.
Health leaders said arsenic can be found in water when levels are low, and that arsenic has been used for agricultural purposes in the past and can end up in ground water.
When Will It Be Done: Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach By: Meredyth Censullo
Indian Rocks Beach, Florida - Managers overseeing construction along Gulf
Boulevard in Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores will meet with community
members Thursday night to answer questions about the project. Pinellas County Utilities, the Florida Department of Transportation and the
City of Indian Rocks Beach have partnered for the project. Construction has been underway for five months and project managers say the
work is ahead of schedule. The work zone is a three-mile-long stretch of Gulf Blvd. between Park
Boulevard and Walsingham Road. That’s where crews will install a 16-inch
reclaimed water line, add a potable water line, perform sanitary sewer
work, reinforce the seawall at the narrows and resurface the roadway. Gulf
will remain a two-lane roadway but will have new bike and pedestrian paths. Preparation for those paths is underway between 191st and 195th avenues,
while installation of the reclaimed water line and new potable water lines
has begun in the southern end of the project area. The county says even though the work is ahead of schedule its not bumping
up the completion date and construction is expected to continue through
August, 2009.
Money Found in Sewage Plant
April 15, 2008 - JERUSALEM (AP) -- Something didn't smell quite right with a pile of cash
discovered Thursday at a sewage purification plant in northern Israel.
Shocked workers at the Tiberias plant found about 7,000 shekels ($2,000) of
the dirty money, all in 200 shekel bills among the smelly sewage. Israeli
TV showed the bills sticking out of sewage and stuck in pipes. The bills
were cut in half.
"I called the police but they didn't believe me. At first they thought I
was playing a prank," plant manager Haim Cohen told Israeli reporters.
"When police did arrive, they didn't believe me and left," Cohen said.
"Later on, different officers came and sifted through the sewage to see for
themselves."
Israeli media speculated that the stash might have been the result of a
domestic dispute, and that one partner might have cut up the bills and
flushed them down the toilet to punish the other.
An Israeli police spokesman said the money might have been linked to
criminals, and police are investigating.
Water Main Break in St. Petersburg
April 3, 2008 - Crews are trying to fix a water main break at 16th
Avenue North in St. Pete. One northbound lane closest to the curb between
17th and 18th Avenues is closed.
There is no estimate on how many people will be without water this morning.
Some residents may experience low water pressure for a couple of hours.
Tampa Bay's 10 News
