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Portable pipeline systems logo
Texas At night
04Mar
Disaster Response Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Natural Disasters In Texas: Stressing The Weakness of Management Systems and How You Can Help

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and the devastating flooding it caused, many people have been talking about water management. Texas has always been prone to natural disasters, but with climate change making these events more frequent, it is more important than ever to have a good water management plan in place. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of good water management and how it can help your community prepare for future natural disasters.

What Natural Disasters Have Impacted Texas?

Texas has been hit by a number of natural disasters in recent years, including Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Ike, the drought of 2011-2015, and the Bastrop wildfires. Each of these events has had a significant impact on Texas communities and highlighted the importance of good water management.

Hurricane Harvey was particularly devastating, causing $125 billion in damage and claiming more than 100 lives. The hurricane made landfall in Texas on August 17, 2017, and brought with it unprecedented levels of rainfall. Houston was hit particularly hard, with some areas receiving more than 50 inches of rain in just a few days.

The flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey was the worst in US history, and it took months for the affected communities to recover. The water damage alone affected hundreds of thousands of homes and displeased more than 30,000 people. In the aftermath of the hurricane, it became clear that many Texas communities lacked a good water management plan and were not prepared for such a large-scale event.

What Is Water Management?

Water management is the process of managing water resources in a way that meets the needs of people and ecosystems. It involves planning for and responding to both short-term and long-term water needs, including floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.

Good water management is essential for keeping communities safe during times of crisis. It can help reduce the risks associated with all-natural disasters and damage to infrastructure. 

How Can Water Management Help Communities Prepare for Natural Disasters?

Water management can help communities prepare for natural disasters in a number of ways.

-Flooding: A good water management plan can help reduce the risk of flooding by optimizing the transportation of floodwater out of affected areas. The best tool for this challenge is an emergency response trailer equipped with a high-quality lay flat hose. It can also help improve drainage systems and keep stormwater from overflowing into streets and homes.

-Drought: Optimized resources can help communities prepare for drought by regulating water use and conserving resources. It can also help to identify areas that are most at risk for drought and develop strategies to address them. We will see a greater need for drought solutions in the coming years as Texas continues to use up its underground water stores.

-Wildfires: First responders with access to reliable water transportation systems can stop the spread of wildfire and save lives. Clear, water management systems can also identify areas that are at risk for wildfires and develop fire prevention strategies.

How Can I Get Involved?

If you are interested in helping your community prepare for natural disasters, there are a number of things you can do. Here are a few suggestions:

-Contact your local government and ask how you can get involved in water management planning.

-Attend community meetings and workshops to learn more about water management and how you can help.

-Volunteer with local organizations that work to improve water management in your community.

-Donate to organizations that are working to improve water management in Texas.

Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on communities, but with good water management in place, these communities can be better prepared for the future. If you are interested in helping your community prepare for natural disasters, you can check out our above-ground water transportation solutions.

 

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By
March 4, 2022
Droughts in California
07Jan
Disaster Response Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater High Quality Hose for Water and Wastewater Wildfire Response

Why California Is Drying Up And What Can Be Done To Mitigate The Droughts

Droughts in California

Why California Is Drying Up

California is in the midst of a drought. As populations continue to grow, it’s getting harder for California to maintain its water supplies. Droughts are no strangers to many areas across the world, but they can be mitigated with proper planning and management techniques. In this blog post, we will discuss how droughts happen in California and what can be done about them!

How Long Has California Been In A Drought?

California entered yet another drought in 2021, meaning that at least two consecutive years have been dry, and reservoirs and groundwater stores are depleted.

Since the beginning of the 21st century California has only actually had 3 years that were not considered “dry,” in 2005, 2010, and 2019. Every other year this century can be considered below average in precipitation. However, not all of these years are considered droughts if they are broken by a wet year.

But the difference could be a moot point as the LA times revealed some researchers who believe California has been in the same drought for 20 years, in what is called a Mega-Drought. They suggest that human-caused climate change is behind this issue, making it more difficult to solve.

Of course, not all researchers agree that California has entered a Mega-Drought, but it can’t be argued that conditions are bad. Wet years have become more sporadic, and the state is being forced to reckon with how it utilizes its water resources.

What Are The Effects Of A Drought?

As a drought depletes natural resources, it will eventually adversely affect the people living in that area. One of the hardest-hit areas is agriculture because of the deteriorating groundwater.

Many rural farms rely on nearby groundwater stores as their primary water source. If these dry up, they have nothing to keep their crops alive and provide water for themselves.

Almond crop yields specifically are projected to drop by 10%. There are also generally lower yields across the board and smaller than average citrus fruit.

Across California, small rural communities are poorly prepared for droughts, especially those that rely on shallow wells. We have seen a similar issue in Texas, as major developments have tapped into underground water stores that locals have relied on for years, forcing regular people to drill deeper into the ground for their water.

Conversely, urban areas can utilize water reuse, recycling, and stormwater capture to offset the effects of a flood. It is also no surprise that urban areas use up a majority of the state’s civil water resources.

Droughts And Wildfires

One of the most damaging effects of rising temperatures and droughts that we have seen is an increase in the severity of U.S wildfires.

Wildfires chart
Source: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-wildfires

When Will The Drought End?

There is no way to know for sure when the California drought will end, although there have been predictions of the 2022 wet season breaking the streak. For that to happen, there would have to be above average snowfall in the coming winter.

It is important to note that it will take time for the water resources to refill even with a good wet season. It could take upwards of 3-10 years for underground water stores to fill up to reasonable levels after the series of droughts that we have witnessed.

What Can Be Done About The Drought?

The state of California is already in a state of a water emergency, which limits how much water each household can use, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. The longer that the drought goes on, the harder it becomes to manage.

The State Water Project controls the reservoirs, canals, pipelines, and hydroelectric power facilities, but they can’t fix the weather. While expert water management is hugely important to minimizing the draught’s impact, the state will need to maintain its emergency rationing.

State regulators recently announced what could be the state’s first major water storage project in years, which would come in the form of a man-made lake. The new lake would hold enough water to supply 3 million households for a year. However, it is still too early to say if the plan is feasible.

The project would make a massive difference as California’s 1,500 reservoirs are at a historic low and are a critical source of drinking water for the state’s residents.

Wrap Up

There isn’t much that state regulators and officials can do but try to mitigate the effects of California’s drought and hope for a good wet season to come around. In this time when water is more scarce than ever, be sure that your water transportation tools are reliable. Portable Pipeline Systems distributes a number of reliable and flexible potable water-approved flat hoses.

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By
January 7, 2022
Climate
15Dec
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater High Quality Hose for Water and Wastewater

Water Management As A Solution To Climate Based Disasters: Insights From COP 26

Climate

Water Management As A Solution To Climate Based Disasters: Insights From COP 26

For the past 3 decades, the United Nations has brought the world together at Climate Change Conferences (COPs). This year’s summit was held in Glasgow and gave world leaders a chance to discuss everything from climate change to fossil fuels. In this post, I’ll take you inside the Water Pavillion, where leaders and experts cover all things water-related. Here’s how vital water management systems are to the future of our world. 

What’s The Big Deal With Water Anyways? 

Water is everywhere and is used by every living creature to survive. The importance of water as a resource is constantly impressed upon us through all phases of life. It is critical but limited, and millions of people worldwide have no access to clean water. 

“Today the crisis is worsening water scarcity could displace 700 Million people worldwide by 2030”, said Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Chair of UN-Water and President of IFAD.

So, that’s the first huge impact water management has on our world, which you might have already known, but of course, there’s more. Water has a distinct impact on our environment in ways that controls more than just who has access to it. Improper water management can lead to worsening natural disasters, which we are already seeing more of due to climate change. 

“Around 3/4 of all disasters between 2001 and 2018 were water-related. We experience climate change through water, in flood, rising sea levels, and contamination, or through its absence in wildfire and drought. “, said Hounbo. “By 2050, 2 Billion people could be vulnerable to floods.”

Our environment losing water rapidly, and unless changes are made, there won’t be any of the aquatic ecosystems left that we need to live decent lives. 

The experts know that the secret to reducing disasters is all about managing water more effectively. And part of this process will be making the water cycle more resilient to climate change. 

What Can Be Done?

On the individual level, we can all take shorter showers and try not to leave the sink running, but that’s only a fraction of the solution. The goal of leaders during COP 26 was to earn water its rightful place on the climate change agenda. Although it isn’t that simple. 

There is no single solution that a country can use to solve the water crisis. We need to unite the nations and make the science available to all because water does not follow political boundaries. Some campaign for a full societal approach alongside institutions that are responsible for all things related to water. 

“There needs to be at the national level, mechanisms to facilitate coordination across the whole of government systems because we know that water is primarily used outside of the water sector itself,” said Ingrid Tomboe, Policy Director at the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA).

Regions that are already facing water scarcity could face long-term damage to their water infrastructure systems from a single disaster. There is also an incredible amount of uncertainty surrounding how much water we will even have access to at any given time. 

With Water Being So Privatized, How Will People Get Access To Their Basic Needs?

On a side note, someone brought up an interesting point during the panel discussion. A human rights-based approach towards water distribution was adopted in 2010, but so far, the experts aren’t seeing the kind of government action they were hoping for. 

There will need to be legislature backing these goals and further transparency to prevent corruption. The impacts of climate change will make this even more important. Though there is some hope in the form of laws that counter water privatization. 

3 Areas Of Engagement For A Successful Global Water Management Plan

Tom Williams of the World Business Council For Sustainable Development proposed 3 key areas to ensure that “water management is embedded in decision making. 

  1. Supply Chain Integration, especially in areas that are heavily impacted by changes in water supply such as energy and food. 
  2. Infrastructure- Waster water is a huge untapped area and could be a potential resource for the food and energy sectors. 
  3. Finance- How can private sector funds be used to finance the private sector? One potential solution is incentivizing farmers to adopt standardized sustainable practices.

Wrap Up

Any type of plan that requires global engagement and communication between governments will be difficult to implement. And the biggest challenges experts face currently seems to be getting the right people on board. On the micro-level, safe and effective water transportation solutions are key to any functioning water management strategy. Portable Pipeline Systems offers a variety of above-ground water transportation solutions designed to function reliably in any natural disaster, from floods to wildfires. 

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By
December 15, 2021
freshwater lake
18Nov
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Potable Water

The Critical Sources Of Freshwater On Earth: Where Your Drinking Water Comes From

freshwater lake

The Critical Sources Of Freshwater On Earth: Where Your Drinking Water Comes From

You receive the majority of your water from taps, fridges, and bottled water, but even that water has to come from somewhere. Only 3% of the water across the globe is pure enough to be considered potable, and a large portion of that resource is locked away in glaciers that we cannot access while global warming is kept somewhat at bay. What we consume every day comes from two primary sources groundwater and the water in lakes and rivers. 

What Is Potable Water?

Drinking water is in scarce supply. In 2017 over 884 million people did not have safe water to drink. Water can be contaminated by a number of factors, including heavy metals, radioactive elements, bacteria, and microorganisms. 

All water contains a small number of contaminants, but it is strictly monitored by federal and state organizations to remain within safe standards. 

Groundwater The Earths Hidden Gem

I’ll skip the redundant explanation of what lakes and rivers are and skip right to the important parts. Few people realize just how vital underground water sources are. 

Groundwater is held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices, and rock. The majority comes from these other pockets because it would be infeasible to diffuse enough water from the soil to be effectively used. While these pockets are naturally refilling, overdrawing from them forces us to drill deeper and deeper to find new sources. We are currently seeing this dilemma in action across Texas. 

Modern groundwater sources are anything considered less than 50 years old and makeup. A study from 2015 found that less than 6% of the total groundwater on earth is modern. That percentage alone is equivalent to a 3-meter deep pool the size of all continents combined. 

Fun Fact: While it is difficult to pinpoint the age of groundwater, a man-made time stamp is visible in the form of radiation, marking the time when atomic bombs were first tested. 

There is also some speculation into whether drawing from groundwater sources releases additional carbon into the atmosphere that could be harmful to our ozone layer, but these claims are so far unsubstantiated. 

 

The Largest Sources Of Freshwater On Earth

Above ground, there are a few significant sources of naturally replenishing freshwater.  

These Data Points Come From The 71 Percent Organization

  • The American Great Lakes account for 21% of all surface freshwater. 
  • Lake Baikal in Russia holds 20% of all unfrozen freshwater. 
  • Africa’s Lake Tanganyika has the second-largest volume of freshwater. 

While these sources are readily available without extensive drilling, they do come with their own quality concerns. For example, in the U.S Upper Midwest States, water acidity is a common issue. Water with a pH of 7 is considered neutral, and in Wisconsin, the balance can drop as low as a pH of 5. This level of acidity is dangerous to piping as it can corrode and cause leaks. 

The solution to this includes additional filtration by Waste Water Facilities and the installation of water softeners in your home. 

Wrap Up

Freshwater is, at the same time, a seemingly inexhaustible resource and a minimal one. Our bodies need clean water to survive, and any disruption in that process can lead to illness, injury and death. We have seen firsthand the effects of unclean water in Flint, Michigan, and severe dehydration in third-world countries. Still, none of it would be possible without safe and effective water transportation methods. Our systems can divert water over great distances and it is all portable for pipe managers to be effectively resilient in a time of reduced resources. If you are interested in temporary and portable above-ground pipeline solutions, you can check out our shop. 

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By
November 18, 2021
Dry land
10Nov
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Potable Water

Water Pipelines In Texas: Whose Causing Rural Water Shortages?

Water Pipelines In Texas: Whose Causing Rural Water Shortages?

Dry land

Everything is bigger in Texas. And it is this mentality that has allowed the State to flourish seemingly unhindered for years, but they may already be facing a challenge they weren’t prepared to tackle. Water supplies are spread thin. The state population is booming, meaning more water is being used in urban areas, but where is it coming from? Rural farms are watching their wells dry up and are being forced to dig deeper and deeper into the earth. Meanwhile, nothing seems to be slowing down as growth ramps up in all sectors. 

Where Does Texas Get It’s Drinking Water? 

There are over a dozen major rivers in Texas and over 11,000 streams. Most of which flow either into the Gulf of Mexico or the Mississippi river. But for all of that water, the residents of Texas continue to face water shortages. 

Most of Texas’ drinking water comes from underground sources. About 60% of its water comes from 9 major and 22 minor underground aquifers. 

Official Predictions

In 2017 the Texas Water development board produced a comprehensive report and a plan for State with projections into 2070. This plan is put together by the State every 5-years. 

The plan recognizes that water supplies are of significant concern when considering the State’s rapid growth in population, infrastructure, and resources. 

Here Are The 6 Main Sectors Using Water In Texas According to the TWDB in order of most water used to least. 

  • Irrigation
  • Municipal
  • Manufacturing
  • Steam-electric
  • Mining
  • Live Stock

The largest increase in water usage is expected to come from the municipal sector. Skyrocketing from about 11% of all water needs to 38% by 2070. 

Likewise, they have found that individuals in Texas face a growing risk of water shortages that vary in severity. 

– By 2070, 82% of Texas will face a 10% water shortage

– By 2070, 34% of Texans will have less than half of the municipal water they need. 

– The number of Texans with less than 10% of the water they require will grow from 100,000 in 2020 to over half a million in 2070. 

Of course, these predictions are pretty far off, but we already see the effects of water shortages across the State. The problem can only be expected to worsen as we factor in complications from Global Warming. 

Where Does The Water Go? 

The Texas economy relies on fossil fuels, agriculture, and real estate to survive. All of which require massive amounts of water. Skyrocketing growth in these sectors alongside industrial development is threatening to overwhelm already lacking water resources. 

Natural springs that have existed for thousands of years are drying up because the water is being diverted for municipal needs. Springs that supply local wells, reflecting a real-time balance between managing growth and resources. 

Of course, none of this is taking climate change into account. As the weather becomes more extreme, what should be a future of draughts becomes a present reality. 

Some locations could simply run out of water. 

Without the right planning, rural locations could be hit the hardest. As they are forced to spend more and more money just to access the water that they need to survive. 

What’s Impacting Rural Water Supplies

Because underground water supplies are difficult to pinpoint geographically, it is difficult to claim ownership. So anyone who can access the water supply has a right to pump it. 

Leaders in Texas understand that cities are the greatest drivers of growth in the State, and that is why they have consented to projects pumping underground water out of rural areas and into cities. 

Here Are Some Findings From The Texas Tribune

– The Vista Ridge Pumping Station will drop water levels by 54% within a 5-mile radius. 

– The Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District fills about 20% of San Antonio’s water needs. 

– Distract data shows that water in nearby wells is dropping dramatically. 

– Hydrologists claim that water levels should stabilize after a big initial drop and will continue to monitor the situation closely. 

Conclusion

The water situation in Texas seems dire, but there is still hope. With the right management, water stores can be relocated into cities without severely impacting the homes of rural ranchers. Still, the future is uncertain. If you are interested in learning more about above-ground water transportation methods, you can check out our website. 

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By
November 10, 2021
potable water definition
03Nov
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Potable Water

Potable Water Supply Meaning And Real World Applications

potable water definition

Potable Water Supply Meaning And Real World Applications

Water covers 71% of the earth’s surface. 97% of all that water is salt water found in the ocean, meaning undrinkable. Unless you were to boil all of that water until it was pure. So contrary to popular belief, water is not available everywhere in a pure and drinkable form, and without our water transportation systems, let’s face it, we’d be screwed. 

What Is Potable Water? 

In the simplest terms, potable water means that it is safe to drink. A measure decided by 

State and federal governments. That means that the systems designed to transport this water also have to be safe for potable water. So, they can’t be adding any extra chemicals to the water as it is being transported. 

According to the Water Education Foundation, here are some of the contaminants that are removed from potable water. 

-microorganisms

-bacteria

-toxic chemicals

-viruses

-fecal matter

As you may have guessed, drinking water that contains any of these things can make you seriously ill. So, all water delivered to homes and businesses must be adequately treated. 

Think of it as a medieval encampment. Building the latrine ditches too close to your natural water source will only contaminate the water and end up making your entire army sick. Unfortunately, today we don’t always have the luxury of moving the latrines because our freshwater sources are already contaminated by sewer and industrial run-offs. 

Is Tap Water Safe To Drink?

So what water is actually potable? We know that bottled water is strictly controlled by CDC guidelines, but what about the water from your tap? According to Healthline, within the United States, most states have safe drinking water coming straight from the tap.

Of course, this does not mean that the water is 100% pure. It just means that the levels of minerals within the water are considered safe for human consumption. Therefore, this water can still contain safe chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, chloramine, and minerals. These additives serve different purposes, from keeping tap water safe to drink by killing chemicals or providing our daily intake of copper, magnesium, calcium, and sodium.

There are also small amounts of pollutants in drinking water that remain within safe drinking standards.

Pollutants Include

-Bacteria

-Parasites

-Chemicals

-Radioactive Elements

-Heavy Metals

What happened To Flint, Michigan?

In 2014, many people in the town of Flint, Michigan, complained of an unexplained illness that was possibly connected to their drinking water. Complaints mounted, but officials largely ignored them because the recent change in water transportation systems had saved them a lot of money.

The Flint River that runs through the town became their primary source of drinking water after making the switch from the Detroit system. The river is a dumping ground for industrial run-offs and raw sewage and supposedly has caught fire twice. Yep, you read that right. The amount of waste is so significant that it became a miny BP oil spill.

Still, none of them surmounted the effect of the excess amounts of lead in the water that made Flint Michigan residents so sick. And while the levels of lead in Flint’s water were considered ridiculous by any standards, The Environmental Protection Agency reminds us that there is no safe amount of lead in water. In response, the city was forced to tear up and replace a majority of its lead pipes and provide its residents with bottled water.

Much has changed in Flint, Michigan, but some of its citizens still don’t have access to clean drinking water and continue to get theirs from lead pipes.

What Materials Are Potable Water Safe?

Obviously, lead pipes aren’t the answer to a safe water transportation solution.

Here’s CIBS Journals List Of What Is

-Copper

-Stainless Steel

-Cross-link polyethylene (PE-X)

-Thermoplastic (ABS)

-Medium-density and barrier polyethylene (MDPE)

-Polybutylene and multilayer pipe

I hope you enjoyed this post on the meaning of potable drinking water and its impacts. And have a better understanding of just how important our water treatment and transportation services are because they aren’t invincible. In the event of a water main break or another similar disaster an above-ground water transportation system is the best way to fill the gap between service and repair. 

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By
November 3, 2021
20210121_164743
26Oct
Case Study Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater NSF Hose Potable Water

Case Study: Eddie Rodriguez

Customer: Eddie Rodriguez formerly of Olivenhain Municipal Water District

 

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High lining 2 back flows using the Aquaman 1” lay flat hose through the ¼” test ports from the hydrant.

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There was enough flow and psi to sustain 2 restaurants for 2 days while the 6” gate valve was being replaced on the 6” fire detector.

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The Aquaman hose has been a great investment and benefit to O.M.W.D. when a temporary water main high line is needed.

 

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Lay flat hoses can cross commercial and residential areas without causing any interruptions.

 

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By
October 26, 2021
project-3
13Oct
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Fittings and Coupplings High Quality Hose for Water and Wastewater

How To Use A Lay Flat Hose The Fast And Safe Solution To Water Transportation

Lay flat hoses are designed as a temporary or permanent solution to above-ground water transportation. They are used in potable water, wastewater, flood, agriculture, mining, and energy industries for a variety of industrial applications. This post will show you how to use a lay flat hose as a permanent water transportation solution. 

Features And Designs Of A Lay Flat Hose

The right lay flat hose should be portable and durable enough to withstand any situation and be approved to transport potable water. They lay flat when not in use so that they can be rolled up and transported easily out in the field. 

A critical feature of a lay flat hose is the amount of bend it can endure without breaking, or the curvature limit. Any amount of curvature can affect water pressure, and possibly cause bursting. Be sure to check your manufacturer’s specifications before laying your hose. 

Watch A Lay Flat Hose Fail It’s Burst Test.

 

Industrial lay flat hoses such as the Mandals Aquaman are typically made of thermoplastic polyether-based polyurethane (TPU). This type of hose is a more flexible solution to transporting drinking water safely and effectively. 

Aquaman Lay Flat hoses are used in everything from water utilities, well projects, shipping sector to festivals and other temporary events. 

You may be more familiar with lay flat hoses made of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These much cheaper and flimsier hoses are designed mainly for home use, such as transporting water from your drains into your pool. So, a PVC lay flat pipe would not withstand the strain of permanently replacing a water main or responding to a flood. 

Using A Lay Flat Hose During A Water Main Break

A lay flat hose suitable for potable water can fill in the gaps between water service breaks and repairs. We can wait for many things, but water isn’t one of them, and it’s critical to get sources flowing as fast as possible. 

How To Use A lay flat hose during water main break

The above diagram demonstrates how a lay flat hose can bridge a water main break and repair. Repair crews will install a lay flat hose to transport water in place of the broken water main until repairs are complete. 

With a quick response time, the public will hardly notice that water services were ever interrupted. And there’s no need to worry about unpredictable repair speeds. 

Attaching Fittings

In industrial and emergency applications, you should train and prepare to operate your lay flat hose. 

Below are the three major fittings/couplings that will go on the lay flat hose for wastewater.

Field Attachable Collar Hose Fittings For Lay flat hoses (Best)

Field Attachable Collars with Male Pipe Thread offers a stable connection and flexibility. You remove or add this fitting to any Female Pipe Thread connection as the shank easily slips into the hose and can be adjusted just by using an Allen wrench. 

These fittings can be used with Camlocks, Storz, and Bauer ends, allowing the user to have greater flexibility out in the field.

Fire Hydrant Fittings or Internally Expanded Hose Couplings (Good)

Fire Hydrant fittings, Camlocks, and Storz can be internally expanded but usually go only up to 6”, and once you internally expand your end couplers, they are permanently on. 

On the upside, the internally expanding hose is a very stable connection but offers no flexibility with mixing and matching couplings/fittings. 

For example, if you have nothing but Camlocks, you will not be able to remove them and put them on Storz. But, keep in mind that these hose couplings are typically only used to transport water and may not be suitable for other substances. 

Band-On Hose Couplings (Okay)

Band-On uses bans that tighten around the hose shank to secure a connection. They can be decent connections, but most people complain of leakage, and therefore they are not as common as they used to be. The pros are that it is the most low-cost solution and easy to get. 

The cons are they cannot handle as much pressure, do not offer flexibility, and have a hard time holding up if they are just lying around in your garage or yard.

Conclusion

Lay flat hoses are an excellent water supply option for your home or business. Not only can you use this type of hose to provide access to clean drinking water, but it is also perfect for emergencies. If you would like more information on how a lay flat hose works and what the different fittings and couplings look like, contact us today! 

Our team will be happy to help answer any questions about these types of hoses so that you know which one is right for your needs. We’re confident we have just the product – whether you need a permanent solution or something temporary.

Need more help choosing the right Lay Flat hose for your needs? Get a quote!

By
October 13, 2021
Wastewater Utilities Pipe
02Sep
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater

Wastewater Utilities- Why It’s Critical To Maintain Them and How Layflat Hose Can

Wastewater Utilities- Why It’s Critical To Maintain Them and How Layflat Hose Can

The use of Wastewater Utilities is a necessary part of everyday life. Without them, our homes and businesses would be in major trouble. In the past few years, wastewater utilities have been more important than ever- with many industries relying on them to keep their business running smoothly. You don’t want to find out the hard way that your utility needs some maintenance when you’re knee-deep in a job! That’s why it’s so important to maintain your wastewater utilities in order for everything to run smoothly. The blog post will go into detail about what these utilities are, how they work, and how you can maintain them properly so that everything runs smoothly.

What Are Water and Wastewater Utilities?

  • Each state has several, Water and Wastewater Utility providers depending on their size.
  • Water Utilities deal with domestic and industrial sewage within a specific service area. 
  • Most people don’t think about the quality of water they receive in their homes, which comes from local natural resources. Nor do they consider their wastewater’s effect on the environment. 
  • Domestic wastewater includes anything pumping out of our homes through drainage systems, such as sinks and toilets. 
  • Water treatment plants purify everything flushed down our toilets before being sent back into nature. 
  • That is why we don’t end up with toilet paper fibers and baby wipes in our rivers. It is also why wastewater utilities will urge you to flush nothing other than toilet paper because it breaks down naturally in water. 
  • The two main ways that water leaves homes are through storm drains and sanitary sewers. The difference is that sanitary sewers flow directly into treatment plants, while storm drains flow directly back into the environment without treatment. Meaning everything that goes down a storm drain will end up back in your local water source. 

 

What Happens If Wastewater Utilities Fail? 

  • The failure of Wastewater Utilities can contribute to the damaging effects of disasters such as floods or water main breaks. Excess water can overload storm drains, especially when those drains have become clogged up with grease and garbage. 
  • This leaves the water with nowhere to go, forcing cities and towns to utilize above-ground water transportation systems to remove the excess. 
  • Similar problems- can arise when domestic wastewater system when pipes clog. But, again, those effects may have to call a professional with a similar above-ground water transportation system if a simple plumber can’t solve the issue. 
  • Wastewater Utilities are like their own ecosystem, and maintaining that is critical to the function of any habitable area. It is the background work that keeps life as we know it functioning. 

How Can This Be Prevented?

  • On the domestic level, solving this issue is as easy as making sure you flush nothing that could clog your pipes. Which means everything but toilet paper. Even grease can build up over time. So you can collect your grease and put it into the garbage instead of draining it. 
  • City pipes can clog similarly from a buildup of grease. The difference is that the city is managing much larger pipes which provide complex obstructions. 
  • Preventive maintenance includes sending cameras into the pipeline to ensure no blockages like tree roots or trash buildup. 
  • If they identify a blockage, it needs to be cleared before clog and creating a more significant issue. But, again, it is the responsibility of waste management professionals to make sure that this doesn’t happen. 

 

How Having A Layflat Hose Response Plan Can Help with Spills 

  • You can respond promptly to wastewater spills to perform a pipe bypass above the ground. 
  • Buys a utility time so they can perform the pipe repair 
  • Avoids EPA fees for the utility, which can range in the tens of thousands of dollars
  • Allows the utility to be self-sufficient, don’t have to rely on vendors and their response times
  • It can be faster than using a hard pipe to do a bypass 
  • If your system is on hilly terrain, it can act as a portable lift station 

 

In conclusion, being prepared and self-sufficient is what every utility strives to be. According to a new WMO report, disasters and emergencies are on the rise (Click Here For WMO Report). Now is the time to prepare your system for any outages. 

 

By
September 2, 2021
Wildfire In Mountians
18Aug
Emergency Response Systems for Water and Wastewater Wildfire Response

Wildfire Response Plans: What You Need To Know

Wildfire Response Plans: What You Need To Know

Wildfire In Mountians

Wildfires are a serious risk to communities all over the United States. In the last ten years, there have been 38,733 wildfires in the United States which have destroyed a combined 4,740,930 acres.

Whether you’re a government official or an emergency response team member, you must keep up with current wildfire response plans so you can better prepare your community for future disasters. 

This blog post will cover what you need to know about wildfire response plans and how they work. It will also share some tips on how to make your plan for when disaster strikes! 

What Causes Wildfires?

Every year wildfires wreak havoc across the globe, destroying houses and the natural habitats of wild animals. While some grow so out of control that even responses can only prevent further damage, some can reign in with the right tactics. 

You have probably seen the impacts of a wildfire on your social media feed, like the skies over California last September. 

Most people don’t know that humans cause about 54% of wildfires, and lightning causes the rest. According to the USDA, on average, “An average of about 7,500 wildfires destroys 1.5 million acres of national forests and grasslands” per year. 

Beyond that, experts don’t always know what exactly causes the wildfire. Dry conditions and high air temperatures certainly contribute to the problem. But who could guess a gender reveal party could have sparked a wildfire without significant evidence? 

Whatever the cause, wildfires are becoming a rampant issue as global temperatures rise, and nobody expects them to disappear. Instead, it will be up to evolving prevention measures to keep a handle on the problem. 

How Much Damage Do Wildfires Cause?

Like any natural disaster, wildfires have wide-lasting implications for the surrounding infrastructure and ecosystem. They are, of course, a massive danger to the lives of people and animals nearby, but only those affected genuinely understand the full extent of damage they can cause. 

According to The World Health Organization, here’s a list of the factors in danger of destruction or disruption by wildfires. 

  • Transportation 
  • Communications
  • Power
  • Gas Services
  • Water Supply 
  • Property 
  • Crops
  • Air quality
  • Animals 
  • People

On top of this, each wildfire releases a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and delicate particle matter into the atmosphere. These elements can cause a variety of health problems among individuals, such as cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

But above all is the inherent danger to human lives and the overall death toll that rises each year from wildfires. Without the right response plans, there’s no telling how much damage a wildfire can cause unchecked.

What Is A Wildfire Response Plan? 

A wildfire response plan is any system set in place to respond to and control a wildfire. In most cases, it will be impossible to extinguish a wildfire fully. 

So it will be the focus of emergency response crews to prevent the fire from spreading and consuming an even larger area. The number 1 priority, of course, is the safety of firefighters and all people in the area. 

Additionally, there will be people to evacuate, hazardous material spills to clean, and utilities to restore. All of which will be the responsibility of trained responders. There is a significant risk to one’s safety in these response measures, and only highly prepared experts should participate. 

It’s important to remember that a wildfire is more dynamic and unpredictable than a smaller one and covers an area like a dome instead of a chessboard. Because of this problem, most wildfires cannot be tackled head-on and are instead fought indirectly. 

Water Transportation Systems Used For Wildfire Response

Because of the unpredictability of a wildfire, first responders need highly flexible water transportation systems. 

So standard solutions include above groundwater transportation systems and helicopter or air tankers. These are great options for a direct attack on the forest fire, which can launch in what is considered a “safe zone.” This is an area where the fire has already burned out and is safe for firefighters to work without serious risk of injury. 

There is no telling where or when firefighters will be sent to an area, so they must access and utilize any nearby water main. Water and fire suppressants are also used to primarily wet unburned fuels and prevent any further spreading. 

And even after all this, the danger of a wildfire does not end once it dies down. The surrounding area still has to be extinguished, and firefighters will ensure no remaining material could be re-ignited. 

If your area is looking into above-ground water transportation systems, you can check out our selection of hoses and pipe fittings here. Or, if you are looking for a more permanent solution, then set up a call. Our experts are ready to walk you through everything. 

By
August 18, 2021
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