Upcoming Water Projects throughout the City of Rockville

Frequently Asked Questions | System Upgrades | Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
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Próximos Proyectos del Sistema de Agua de la Ciudad de Rockville
Preguntas más frecuentes acerca de las Mejoras en el Sistema de Aguas de Rockville
洛城全市即将开展的供水改造工程

More stringent federal requirements for water treatment are driving the need for upgrades at our water treatment plant. Degrading pipe conditions in the water distribution system have caused an increased number of pipe breaks and less than optimal fire flow conditions in some areas. Various water projects are included in the City’s Capital Improvements Program to address these challenges. The main components of Rockville’s water system projects are as follows.

Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
Since being built in 1958, the Rockville Water Treatment Plant has been improved and expanded to meet increased environmental regulations and growing demand. Currently, we are working on the Water Treatment Plant Facility Plan, in order to meet new federal regulations required to improve water quality. This plan will be completed Fall 2008 and will include recommendations for projects at the water treatment plant.

Water Line Replacement Program
The City will be replacing more than 30 miles of aging water pipes over the next 20 years. Most of the pipes were installed before the mid-1970s. The challenge of this older pipe in our system is interior corrosion, known as tuberculation, which can lead to impaired water quality and decreased water flow inside the pipe. This results in less than optimal flow available to some of the fire hydrants. Additionally, aging pipes are more susceptible to breaking.  This is disruptive to our customers, causes property damage, and is expensive to repair.

The City is responding to this problem by systematically replacing water lines, ensuring safe drinking water as well as adequate fire flow protection. A prioritization plan has been developed, and the City will hire a contractor to replace affected water pipes.  The first group of projects have been identified and will be constructed from fall, 2008 to summer, 2009.  The mains to be replaced are located on Crawford Drive, Thornden Road, Rockland Avenue, Lewis Avenue, Rockville Pike and Park Road.

As water mains are being upgraded, either through this project or new development, fire hydrants will be replaced with new hydrants that meet current color coding standards based upon available fire flow. Fire hydrants will be yellow with a top color (light blue, green, orange or red) based upon a hydrant’s fire flow capacity. Until all the fire hydrants can be replaced, Rockville is placing rings on some of its hydrants to inform fire fighting personnel of available fire flow.  The rings will share the same colors as the hydrant tops and will remain on the hydrant until water mains are upgraded. Rockville’s hydrant color scheme is consistent with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations and has been closely coordinated with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS).

Water Meter Replacement Program
The City plans to replace residential water meters throughout the entire system. Aging meters tend to under-register the amount of flow going through them. This program enables the City to accurately track the amount of usage for billing purposes, as well as to monitor and evaluate future water demands. The new meters have improved technology, so that the meter reader can download readings electronically to a computer, which will yield more accurate and efficient billing information. There is no cost to the customer for the new meter.

The City has hired a contractor, Vanguard Utility Service, Inc., to replace most of the residential meters. There will be a slight disruption in water service during the replacement, which can be done in 5 to 30 minutes. Commercial meters within the city were replaced in 2007.

More Information
Contact Project Managers directly:

• Water Treatment Plant Upgrades; Craig Daly, Civil Engineer, 240.314.8513
• Water Line Replacement Program; John Hollida, Civil Engineer, 240.314.8526
• Water Meter Replacement Program; Ilene Lish, Civil Engineer, 240.314.8516