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City of Ely, Iowa Your Information Gateway for Ely, Iowa |
Saturday October 6, 2012 |
Ely’s New Water Tower
Ely’s New Water Tower Now In Service. Ely’s skyline is going to change in 2011 with the addition of a new 300,000 gallon water tower. The majority of the work will be done by Phoenix Fabricators, from Avon Indiana. Excavation for the tower’s foundation began in late February, 2011. Other contractors on this project are Bockenstedt Excavating (from Iowa City, Iowa) for excavation and water main installation; E&J Electric (from Solon, Iowa) for electrical and controls; and Northway Well and Pump Company (out of Marion, Iowa) for well and pump upgrades. Work on the tower’s foundation began in February and the new water tower is scheduled to be complete and online November, 2011.
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Ely’s (Soon to Be) Water Tower |
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New Water Tower Will Increase Water Pressure. You may want to install a pressure relief valve before the new water tower is in service if you own an older home or building in the lower areas of Ely. Water pressure will increase roughly 25 psi everywhere in Ely after the new water tower is in service. Water pressure in the upper areas are expected to range from 40 to 55 psi after the new tower is online; while properties in lower elevations will see water pressures that range from 85 and 100 psi. The expected water pressure ranges are all within “standard” operating levels for residential plumbing, but owners of some older homes or buildings may want to install a pressure relief valve to prevent any plumbing problems in your home or building related to new stress on plumbing joints. The City is offering standard 3/4” pressure reducing valves to Ely residents and property owners at no cost.
What is a Water Pressure Reducing Valve?
There are two types of water pressure reducing valves, direct acting and pilot operated. Both use globe or angle style bodies. Valves used on smaller piping diameter units are cast from brass; larger piping diameter units are made from ductile iron. Direct acting valves, the more popular type of a water pressure reducing valves, consist of globe-type bodies with a spring-loaded, heat-resistant diaphragm connected to the outlet of the valve that acts upon a spring. This spring holds a pre-set tension on the valve seat installed with a pressure equalizing mechanism for precise water pressure control. You can find out more about pressure relief valves at: www.watts.com/pages/learnAbout/reducingValves.asp?catId=64#whatiswprv