Somerset Fire Flow Improvements Project

Typical residential pressure-reducing installationThe City continually evaluates its water system for opportunities to improve water service, including flow, pressure, and reliability. Because of the steep topography in Somerset Highlands, the water system relies on a series of pumps to bring water uphill, creating different pressure “zones” based on local elevation. Water pressure and fire flow can vary throughout each of these zones. The City is working systematically to make improvements so that all customers have the same minimum level of service.

What’s happening now

The City is studying a range of options to identify the best way to improve service in Somerset Highlands. We hope to identify the preferred solution by the end of 2021, with the goal of implementing a solution by 2026.

Project alternatives and impacts

The City has identified several feasible ways to increase fire flow in the project area. Each would be designed to increase pressure and fire flow in portions of the project area to achieve a minimum level of service for all residents. In order to do this, many of the alternatives being considered include a combination of the following improvements:

• Pump station recommissioning: The City owns a pump station and reservoir at 13909 Southeast 47th Street that is no longer in use. The City would bring this pump station back into service, which could have noise or other property impacts for surrounding residents.

• Pressure-reducing valves (PRVs): When the City increases pressure in the service area, it may make pressure too high in some areas (especially those in lower elevations). Pressure-reducing valves would be installed at key locations to manage this excess water pressure.
  
  

  • City-owned PRV stations and check valves would be installed in the public right of way in underground vaults. Construction would require digging beneath or adjacent to the roadway at select locations.
    
    
  • Resident-owned PRVs (such as shown in the image above) would be installed on private property for customers who do not already have one, as required by the Plumbing Code. Although the initial installation (either indoors or outside in a box) would be managed and funded by the City, residents would be responsible for upkeep and maintenance. However, many homes in the project area should already have PRVs and would not be impacted.
    
    
• Water main replacement: Installing new water mains in specific locations would require construction crews to dig beneath the roadway to replace the pipe. This would temporarily impact traffic and cause construction noise.