Posted:  November 06, 2001

PROTECT YOURSELF

Protecting yourself against thermal expansion, cross-connections, and high pressure can sometimes be confusing. One of the most common questions asked is “Why do I need an expansion tank?” The Clifton Water District adopted a Backflow Prevention Policy in July of 1994. The District, with all new construction, will now install a “Dual Check” meter setter. The Dual Check inside the meter setter will only allow water to flow in one direction. When water heats up at your hot water heater, the water will expand and will flow backwards in your piping. If an expansion tank is installed, the water that expands from the heat will flow into the expansion tank. The expansion tank acts as a balloon, when water flows into the tank, it pushes against a rubber bladder. The expansion tank will also save you from cleaning up the mess of water that comes from your “pop-off valve” on your hot water heater.

The Clifton Water District also has another policy regarding Dual Check meter setters. When the Water District must do repairs to existing meter setters, we will upgrade the old style meter setter to a new Dual Check setter. When the work is completed our crew will remove the dual check valve assembly from the meter setter. The Water District will notify you by letter stating that the dual checks have been removed and will allow 90 days for you to make adjustments in your plumbing system before the dual check valve assembly will be re-installed.

Protecting yourself from cross-connections can also be a little confusing. The most common cross-connection in a residential area is irrigation systems. Customers that use our water for irrigation purposes are now required by state regulations to have a backflow prevention device installed. A backflow prevention device again will only allow water to flow in one direction. If a backflow incident were to occur, the backflow prevention device would prevent the water from coming back into your water system to your house. These backflow prevention devices must be tested on an annual basis to ensure they are working correctly.

These issues can all be confusing and it can be frustrating to deal with some of these items. If the staff at the Clifton Water District can be of assistance in answering questions to these or other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more specific answers to meet your individual needs, please contact Mark Dalley in our Distribution Section ... he should be able to take care of your concerns.

Posted:  November 06, 2001

SHUT-OFF VALVES IN YOUR HOUSE CAN SAVE YOU $$$$

Do you know where your water shut-off valve is located? Is it easily accessible? Unfortunately the majority of our customers think that their water shut-off valve is located in the water meter pit. That valve is our shut-off valve. Usually, the main shut-off valve for residential customers is located
near the water heater or boiler. This is often in the garage or basement.  Sometimes that valve is located in the most inaccessible part of a crawlspace!

As per local plumbing code, individual residential structures are required to have their own, clearly identified water shut-off valve. The water meter pit is considered property of the Clifton Water District and access to the pit and equipment contained therein shall be accessed only by persons authorized by the Water District. This is addressed in Policy #420 Water Usage Fees, effective September 22, 1999. This Policy also permits the assessment of fines up to $1,000 for those individuals operating District equipment. District personnel will respond to requests to turn-off the water at the meter in emergency
situations within 40 minutes and non-emergency, general shut-offs on an as need basis.

So, in order to avoid potential costly fines and penalties, please make sure you know where your main shut-off valve is located. If you can’t find it or determine that you don’t have one, you can contact a local plumber to arrange for proper installation.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is often worth a pound of cure!