Water Issues

We need to fix this...Myth and reality

Replacing "old used pipe" is nothing more than a myth.
I know this by talking to other old timers and more importantly by being an eye witness when the original pipe was installed.  Myself and family just happened to be living here in Ocean Park at that time.  I saw the factory banded new full lengths of pipe all along G Street. This myth is used to justify replacing pipe. It is just not true.

The cost savings of replacing pipe ourselves, is also another myth.  The real cost per foot has never been calculated.  Add to the actual cost of pipe the equipment cost and added employees, office staff time, legal fees and law suites, and the cost sky rockets.  Work efficiency is also a contributor to higher costs.

Old worn out pipe is another myth.  We have the newest pipe of any place in the County. You do not see other water providers replacing old pipe and their pipe is many years older than ours.  I have repeatedly asked for proof of the condition of our pipe by taking samples of the actual pipe and having it analyzed.  The best they have come up is a study that shows where the breaks have occurred.

It is finally being accepted that many, if not most, of our breaks have occurred because of high pressure breaks.  Also know as pressure surge. Bill Neal stated in the beginning that the breaks were in his words, "improper flushing".  Then it recently was disclosed that our water pumps that push out the water into our main lines, were causing pressure surges. These were recently changed to what are called "soft start" pumps.  There are now hardly any main line breaks.  Approximately six miles of pipe have been  replaced in our 22 miles of pipe.  If the pipe is old and worn out, you would expect to see an increase in breaks, not less.  So why do we continue with the present policy   of replacing pipe and in the manner we do it?  Simple, To do otherwise, would be to admit to mistakes and poor judgement. "ego"

Asbestos/Cement pipe is in common use all over the country, and new and replacement pipe is the PVC plastic pipe. It is better and handling it is safe.  It is good to replace the AC pipe, but for the right reasons, not made up ones. We should be concentrating on the water source and distribution that provides good circulation and pressure and good quality water.

I am not against replacing AC pipe, if done according to need and affordability.  The first recommendation was 1/4 mile a year.  If a contractor was hired, the savings to the association would be tremendous.  We could reduce our crew and equipment by at least half.  Our crew could return to what they were originally tasked to do.  Water plant operation, new hook ups, water line repair and maintenance of our lands and buildings.  We need our own full time Water/Field Manager.  How has having a part time contracted manager worked?

One last observation.  Why do the North Beach trucks always look clean and neat while ours look dirty.  The other equipment needs to be painted.  Proper supervision is lacking in all phases of the water operation and care of our facilities.

It's time for change.  Just my opinion of course.