In the context of municipal water systems, how often should isolation valves be placed in trunk lines?

Isolation valves are critical components in municipal water systems as they allow for the quick and efficient isolation of sections of the water distribution system for maintenance, repairs, or emergencies without disrupting service to a larger area. The placement of these valves is governed by design standards and best practices to ensure that service interruptions are minimized and that maintenance can be performed effectively.

Placing isolation valves at intervals of 300 to 600 feet is recommended to enable service crews to effectively isolate smaller sections of the trunk line when needed. This spacing strikes a balance between providing sufficient control while minimizing the number of valves required, which can be cost-prohibitive if placed too frequently.

Valves installed too far apart could lead to larger service outages if a section of the line needs to be taken offline, impacting more customers than necessary. Therefore, positioning isolation valves every 300 to 600 feet is a widely accepted practice that allows for an effective and responsive water management system. This ensures that repair operations can be conducted with minimal disruption to the overall system and its users.