18
NCRWA.COM |
Summer 2014
feature
Newland is planning on installing a sampling station at one of the
maximum residence time locations in the distribution system. The
sampling station will look much like a telephone pedestal, and will give
a good picture of lead and copper levels in the water main. At the current
time, only one sampling station is planned.
The Town of Newland has started to map its system using GIS
(Geographic Information System). The water system had no as-built
blueprints or maps, and before GIS, relied on the knowledge and notes
of older workers. Newland was able to obtain a GPS (Global Positioning
System) from the local council of government, and used the council’s
expertise to map the meters, valves, hydrants and wells. Having accurate
maps has helped Newland refine its flushing and sampling plans, and
enables the Town to print customized maps from its own computers.
Newland flushes its hydrants about once per month. The Town has used
custom-printed maps to facilitate the installation of gas lines, and to
repair leaks.
NC Rural Water recently purchased a survey-grade GPS and the
appropriate software to assist our system members in setting up a GIS
program. We can teach your system how map the infrastructure to
develop highly accurate system maps, which can be used for flushing
plans, valve exercise programs, and routine and emergency operations.
Our personnel partner with your system to teach you how to use the
GPS, to correct the data, and download it onto system computers, and
how to use the GIS software to develop and print maps of the system for
any number of uses.
The Town of Newland has also implemented a Wellhead Protection
Program, which is a way to protect the capital investment in the five
water supply wells. Having a Wellhead Protection Program raises public
awareness of the vulnerability of the source aquifer, and lets consumers
know how best management practices can decrease the likelihood of
spills or leaks that could enter the aquifer and be drawn into the cone of
depression of the wells. NC Rural Water has three technicians dedicated
to facilitating wellhead plans for systems which use groundwater.
Contact us for more information on a Wellhead Protection Plan for your
groundwater system.
Newland is a quaint little southern town with great-tasting water,
located in the scenic mountains of western North Carolina. We at Rural
Water are proud to have them as a system member. If you have any
questions about lead and copper rule compliance, give Rural Water
a call. Our circuit riders can help with technical issues, GIS and
Wellhead Protection.
