Well, at least it isn't my problem today...

Yesterday afternoon in the Mill City, a contractor working on a building project hit and ruptured a 36" diameter water main (which is very large main feeder line, most mains are generally 8" to 12" in diameter) that flooded 8+ city blocks of the city. Shut down of the main took several hours due to the circumstances and discolored water was found in the far end of their systems due to a number of factors.
Now. Number of questions come to mind:
1. Was the main correctly located?
2. Was the contractor aware of such a high profile water line at the site?
3. Was the discoloration just from sediment, or did the size of the break cause contamination throughout the system?

Other thoughts came to mind, but most importantly the on e thing that kept popping into my head all day was; "Thank God that didn't happen in my city. I do not want to deal with that mess!"

Training, Day 1, ugh...

As part of being a professional, there are time you are required to attend training sessions. These training sessions generally are vaguely related to your field. This week I must attend a three day training session for Water Utility supervisors and managers in the Upper Midwest at the local huge state university that I once attended. We have discussed our personalities and how they relate to being a supervisor. Then we discussed what it was to be a supervisor.

I would rather be covered in mud, standing in the rain, rolling up 50' long fire hoses after a bacterial test than sit through two more days of this. Seriously.

On the plus side, I have met a large number of my colleagues from around the state, including 6 from the enemy Mill city across the river. Oh, breakfast and lunch was provided which is a plus. An added plus is that it is only five minutes further than I already drive to work, local is nice.

>>>> Engineering Formula of the Day: 1 cubic ft of water = 7.48 gallons of water <<<<

Ice Water pt.1

Snow.

Wet heavy snow will certainly hamper the installation of water mains. Here in the far upper midwest, generally our construction season runs from mid-April until late November. Not this year! Due to a minor federally funded train running down the middle of College Way, we get to inspect in mid-Feburary the installation of water main. The most interesting part is the heated temporary water main that runs on the sidewalk. Usually our water main in 8 feet deep to prevent the water from freezing, instead in is now running on the sidewalk. Insane.

I'll post some pics once I take some.

>>>> Engineering Calc of the Day:
1 cubic yard of sand = 1.8 tons <<<<

An introduction to Field Engineering

What is field engineering?

Well, it watching someone actually do work while you watch and take notes. Sad isn't it.

What is water watching?

It is watching someone actually do work on water mains while you watch and take notes. It is not quite as sad as it seems.

Going forward I will be providing actual field reports of what filed engineering is, how it is done (and done wrong), and why being an inspector rocks. Names may be changed to protect the guilty, maybe.



>>>> Engineering Calc of the Day:
Hydrant flow:  gpm = 543.6* √pitot psi   assuming a coeffient of .90 and 4.5" opening <<<<