We recently spotted this news item: U.S. EPA Categorically Approves Water Main Automatic Flushing Devices For Green Project Reserve Funding.  The Green Project Reserve (GPR) program identifies technologies that improve practices to deliver equal or better services using less water.

We understand the rationale... sort of.  Automated flushing systems may save water as compared to manual flushing programs.

But is all that flushing really necessary to maintain water quality?

We know that flushing of water storage tanks and lines is widely accepted in our industry as a tool for improving water quality. 

But flushing is a sign of underlying problems in the distribution system.  Rather than promoting flushing, why not try to improve the performance of your entire distribution system.

Active mixers have been shown to reduce residual loss in storage tanks, and these benefits have been shown to travel out to the rest of the distribution system. 

By keeping the contents of storage tanks actively circulated, biofilm growth is inhibited, evaporative losses are reduced, and overall residual demand in the distribution system drops.

One utility recently estimated that the average cost of flushing their 7 tanks came to $66,000 a year. By installing active mixers they will reduce or eliminate the need to flush these tanks, and their investment will pay off in under 4 years.

Now THAT is a green solution that REALLY saves water.

We welcome your comments and questions.

Sincerely,

Peter S. Fiske, Ph.D.

CEO, PAX Water Technologies