May 20, 2022 |
In Saratoga, most of the new “smart” meters and pressure reducing valves have been installed in the water pits at residential and commercial properties in town. Not everyone is happy with the results the PRV’s are producing.
Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell said some residents report that their water pressure dropped after the new hardware was installed.
The topic came up at Tuesday’s town council meeting. Public Works Director Jon Winter addressed the concerns during reports from department heads. Winter confirmed Councilwoman Campbell’s comments about the complaint calls.
The town contracted with Utah-based Metworks to install the new smart meters and PRVs. Pressure reducing valves protect pipes, fixtures water-using appliances from damage or breaks. They also can save homeowners money by reducing wasted water at the tap. Winter said his crews have investigated the complaints, and the new hardware is not the problem.
In other words, some of the old PRVs likely failed completely or partially, and were allowing more water to flow into homes than what industrial plumbing standards recommend. Some residents, however, enjoy the extra blast of hot water in their showers or how their irrigation system runs at the higher pressure. They prefer the higher pressure.
The town’s public works director is sympathetic. Winter told council that he drafted a waiver that residents can sign to run their systems above the recommended 70 p.s.i. Winter read and explained the draft waiver.
Winter said the town attorney helped draft the waiver, which would be kept on file if a homeowner requested the higher water pressure. Winter said that about 25 individuals have registered a complaint about the reduced water pressure since the meter project began. Councilman Jon Nelson said the waiver is a reasonable solution. Homeowners willing to accept the risk could run their system at the higher pressure if the town is not responsible for any damage that might occur by running the system at a higher pressure than recommended.
No motion was made on the matter. The waiver will be made available to residents who request it. Meterworks has completed about 75% of the installs around town.
