HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8855INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. QQrx;
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council July 10, 2007
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SUBJECT: POLICY ON WATER PRESSURE IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND
THE USE OF PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES (PRVs)
BACKGROUND
This informal report is issued in response to Councilmember Scarth's request for information relating to
the policy on water pressure in neighborhoods and the use of pressure control valves.
The Fort Worth water system operates in a series of zones to provide adequate water pressure. These
zones, also called pressure planes, normally provide pressure at approximately 4045 pounds per square
inch (psi) at the higher elevations and 75 -80 psi at the lower elevations. The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires a minimum pressure of 35 psi.
As development occurs, the Water Department coordinates with developers to extend the appropriate
pressure plane pipe to provide adequate service; however, on occasion, only a "high pressure" line is
available to serve the area. This has occurred along the Trinity River in eastern Fort Worth and along
Lake Worth. In these situations, pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are used to control high pressures in
the development and they can be either privately maintained or part of the public water system.
PRVs & PLUMBING CODE
The International Plumbing Code (IPC) adopted by the City of Fort Worth, requires a private PRV if the
system pressure is in excess of 80 psi. High pressure may cause damage to private plumbing and
fixtures unless proper precautions are taken by the property owners. New construction plumbing
installations and any plumbing remodel/expansion in existing buildings will include a pressure check of
the City water as part of the inspection process. Anytime the City pressure is found to be in excess of
80 psi, a PRV will be required before the inspection will be approved. The property owners, not the
City, are responsible for maintenance of private PRVs.
When the Bentley Village Subdivision was developed in 1975, private PRVs were installed according to
City Plumbing Code as the system pressure was in excess of 100 psi. The system pressure has not
changed since that time. Since PRVs have an average life expectancy of 5 -10 years, some of the units
installed initially may not function as originally designed.
CURRENT PROCEDURES
The City fiords the installation of public or private PRVs if the City increases pressure to an existing
subdivision; the developer funds the installation of private or public PRVs if the subdivision is new.
The City maintains and replaces the public PRVs as needed; property owners maintain art I replace
private PRVs as needed.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS