Hydro Stops Allow Valve Replacements Throughout Town

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - General Contractor A-1 of Bloomer, Wisconsin has begun the valve replacement on the City's water lines. A-1 does the actual valve installation after the water is shut down.

Ron Weston of Ludington working for Ferguson Water is shown using a hydro stop machine to stop the flow of water just west of the new valve installation. The City water crew made up of Sam Fontecchio, Jeff Wiemeri, and Mike O'Brien are shown shutting off the valves East, South and North of the installation.

John Paalman of Ferguson Water prepares the parts and secures the saddle in concrete for the hydro stop. These pictures show the 14 inch water main going west of Lake Street up Hedin Street. A new 14 inch butterfly valve replaces the old one that was leaking.Hydro-stopping allows a short span of water to be shut down thus allowing continued service to most users. Wasted water is also kept to a minimum by using a hydro stop. All in all it is a very complex operation. A piece of pipe that was cut out live to allow for the insertion of the hydro stop plug can be seen in one picture. When the valve installation is done the hydro stop plug is removed and the access hole is capped.

As Ron used to say "Hydro Stopping is not for Wimps."

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