LOUDOUN WATER
ON TAP
www.loudounwater.org 44865 Loudoun Water Way Ashburn, VA 20147
JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2017
PROTECT YOUR PIPES THIS WINTER When Temperatures Dip, Let it Drip To keep water flowing through the pipes in your home, let your faucets drip. If you are concerned about wasting water, place a jug underneath to catch the drips and use it to water indoor plants! The amount of water used for this purpose costs significantly less than it would cost to fix the damage from a frozen pipe. Insulate Your Pipes Insulate pipes in unheated spaces like the garage and under cabinets along outside walls. Pipe insulation is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any home improvement or hardware store.
Cabinet Doors Open During extreme cold spells, leave cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate better. If you do this, make sure to remove any hazardous materials so that children and pets do not have access.
Set the Thermostat Whether you’re at home or away travelling, keep your thermostat set no lower than 55F. Travelers will often make the mistake of turning their thermostats off thinking it will save on their heating bill when in reality, they’ll come home to frozen pipes.
Monitor the Weather Keep an eye on the weather forecast to know when to take precautions. Make sure to keep your garage door closed, especially if there are water supply lines located in there, when temperatures dip.
WATER AT HOME: EVERY DROP COUNTS Did you know you can reduce your water use by 20 to 30 percent by installing more waterefficient fixtures in your home?
WHY FROZEN WATER CAN CAUSE A PIPE BURST 9%
Through the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, you can identify a range of water-saving fixtures that are certified for efficiency and performance! Just look for the WaterSense label.
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When frozen, a gallon of water will expand to a volume 9 percent greater!
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Water pressure that build between the ice blockage and a closed faucet can burst the pipe.
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To learn more, visit www. epa.org/ watersense.
When outside temperatures dip below freezing, ice blockages become more likely.
WHAT TO DO WHEN PIPES FREEZE No one wants to come home to frozen pipes and Loudoun Water always encourages proactive measures to avoid this occurance, but sometimes things happen. If you are experiencing frozen pipes, do the following:
4. Once water starts flowing again, turn on a nearby faucet to allow a pencil width-sized stream of water to flow from the faucet until heat is restored to the area.
1. Turn on a faucet located near the frozen pipe or water meter so you will see when the water starts flowing again.
5. Eliminate cold drafts and allow warm air to circulate around the pipes and the water meter to prevent them from freezing again.
2. Begin warming the pipes nearest the faucet and work toward the frozen section or the frozen water meter. 3. Blow warm air on the pipe or water meter using a hair dryer. Do not leave the hair dryer unattended or allow it to overheat.
NEVER USE A BLOWTORCH OR OPEN FLAME TO WARM PIPES OR A WATER METER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD!
YEAR IN REVIEW: LOUDOUN WATER PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS In 2016, Loudoun Water made progress in many areas. Updates regarding projects and Loudoun Water-related news can be found on our website. Potomac Water Supply Program Progress The Potomac Water Supply Program continues to move ahead at full speed. The Trap Rock Water Treatment Facility, Finished Water Transmission Main and Sanitary Sewer Force Main are scheduled to be operational in 2017. Monthly updates are located on our website. Lenah Run Water & Sewer Connection In late 2015/early 2016 Loudoun Water constructed a second waterline connection between the Lenah Run community and Loudoun Water’s central system. This second waterline connection will provide “looped” service to the Lenah Run community, making the service to the community more robust. Reclaimed Water Project S3 The S3 project completed the reclaimed water system by providing a looped connection in the southern end of the reclaimed system between Loudoun County Parkway and Waxpool Road. This project, which includes 11,000 feet of 16-inch diameter reclaimed waterline, improved service to the reclaimed water customers in the area. E Poplar Road 8-Inch Water Main Replacement Existing water mains were replaced at E. Poplar Road, Poplar Court, and S. Buckingham Court for improved reliability of water service. The water main in this area is old (circa 1960’s), and Loudoun Water has experienced several water main breaks in this area over recent years. Final restoration began in November 2016. Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility – Interim Biosolids Project Construction began in July 2016 to increase the capacity of the solids stabilization (anaerobic digestion) process at the Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility (BRWRF) and makes ancillary improvements to the upstream solids handling facilities. Beaverdam Reservoir Open House In December 2016, Loudoun Water held an Open House at the National Recreation and Park Association in Ashburn to share updates regarding the reservoir. Detailed information about this meeting is located on our website.
YEAR IN REVIEW: AWARDS & RECOGNITION 2015 NACWA Platinum Award
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) provides a Peak Performance Award that recognizes facilities for excellence in permit compliance. Loudoun Water had 100% compliance with permits over a consecutive fiveyear period.
USSD’s 2016 Public Safety Around Dams Recognition Loudoun Water was presented with the 2016 Public Safety Around Dams Recognition for developing and implementing a formal public safety program for Goose Creek Dam and Beaverdam Creek Dam.
Gold-level Omni Award
Omni Awards exist to recognize outstanding achievements in film/video, web and mobile media. Loudoun Water received this award for the 2016 website redesign.
1st Annual Virginia Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day
Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day honors the thousands of men and women that ensure clean drinking water and a healthy environment for the more than eight million residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
ENVIROSCAPE PRESENTATIONS AVAILABLE
UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Loudoun Water Closed
Monday, February 20 Presidents’ Day - Loudoun Water Closed
In 2016, Loudoun Water visited 10 elementary and middle schools with our Enviroscape models. Students learned about watersheds and the importance of source water protection. Our staff is passionate about sharing their love of water and the water treatment process!
Thursday, February 9 Loudoun Water Board Meeting
To arrange for a speaker to visit your classroom, email aquiary@loudounwater.org.
Thursday, January 12 Loudoun Water Board Meeting
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