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Plumbing News
Avoid Unnecessary Irrigation To Conserve Water - Tampa's Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Are Still In Effect
Tampa, FL August 26, 2008 - Despite recent rainfall, continued conservation of potable (drinking) water is needed to ensure adequate water supplies are available. Emergency Water Use Restrictions under City of Tampa Ordinance 2006-104 remain in effect and apply to all outdoor water use inside Tampa city limits, regardless of source (public, private, well, or surface).
Residents inside Tampa's city limits continue to be restricted to the once-a-week watering guidelines:
1. Addresses ending in an even number or the letters A-M may water on Tuesdays only.
2. Addresses ending in an odd number or the letters N-Z may water on Sundays only.
3. Watering once on the designated day is allowed between midnight and 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. and midnight.
Turning your irrigation controller to "manual" and installing a rain sensing automatic shut-off device can reduce unnecessary watering during periods of rain. More tips on how to decrease water consumption at your home or business and information on restrictions can be found at www.TampaGov.net/SaveWater. A recorded summary of Tampa's water restrictions is available by calling (813) 274-8032.
Water use restrictions for Tampa Water Department customers residing in unincorporated Hillsborough County are established and enforced by Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. Information on Hillsborough County restrictions is available at (813) 275-7094 or www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water/restrictions/.
Irrigation restrictions do not apply to the use of reclaimed water. To find out more about Tampa's reclaimed water, including current service availability, visit www.TampaGov.net/ReclaimedWater or call (813) 282-7827.
The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department's mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Flood safety tips from the Red Cross
1. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around, and go another way.
2. Stay away from flooded areas. Even if it seems safe, flood waters may still be rising.
3. Never try to walk, swim, drive, or play in flood water.
4. If you are in a vehicle and become surrounded by water, if you can get out safely, do so immediately and move to higher ground.
5. Watch out for snakes in areas that were flooded. Flood waters flush snakes from their homes.
6. Stay away from creek and stream banks in flooded and recently flooded areas.
7. Never play around high water, storm drains, ditches, ravines, or culverts.
8. Throw away all food that has come into contact with flood waters
Odorless toilet story catches national interest
CITRUS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- From CNN.com to a morning show in Sacramento, California, word is spreading like wildfire about the invention of an odorless toilet.
Robert Smith, the inventor of the VIP Odorless Toilet, says it's been a crazy week following the airing of his story Tuesday on Bay News 9.
Since then, 150 news outlets around the world picked up the story, including CNN.com, which offered the sale option of a tee shirt with the headline "'Odorless' toilet's holes suck out stink."
Smith says sales are better than ever. He's also busy answering questions about the product, which apparently, could also be used by cats.
"Somebody had asked and emailed if it was good for their cat," he said. "I guess they have a toilet trained cat. I said 'well, as long as the cat learns how to turn the fan on, he'd be in good shape.'"
The concept is simple. Before No. 2, the user lifts up on the handle that activates a small fan that begins to suck the stink directly into the sewer line through several holes in the bowl. The fan shuts off when the user flushes.
Bay News 9 talked with one customer from Connecticut who saw the story online and bought one for her husband.
"I'm hoping it stops me from having to use those nasty sprays," Joanne said. "I can't stand the sprays. I don't know what's worse - him or the sprays."
The VIP Odorless toilet costs (direct from Smith) $599.99 and comes in white or biscuit.
Agency To Store More Water
Swiftmud Agency to Store More Water: the executive order, effective through Sept. 30, allows the utility to take up to 19 percent of the flow of the river for drinking water. The utility's permit allows it to withdraw 10 percent of the river's flow during the wet season when the river is running at least 124 cubic feet per second. Swiftmud spokeswoman Robyn Felix said district studies show no adverse effects to the river because of the temporary higher withdrawals. Alison Adams, senior manager for Tampa Bay Water, said withdrawals from the river have been up and down since they began July 18. Since that time, she said, the river's flows have been declining.
Raytheon to begin clean-up of contaminated groundwater
ST. PETERSBURG (Bay News 9) -- Raytheon announced plans to start cleaning up groundwater contamination in St. Petersburg within 90 days.
According to, the St. Petersburg Times, the announcement is the first step towards remedying the underground contamination in the Azalea neighborhood.
Raytheon officials also said that samples taken from the ground surrounding Azalea Elementary School show no pollution.
The company said it plans to pump out the contaminated water and then treat it before sending it to a sewage plant, a process known as "pump-and-treat." The Environmental Protection Agency said this process has been used to treat hundreds of Superfund sites. Officials said the clean-up could take up to five years to complete.
New Toilet Takes on No. 2
CITRUS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A local inventor has made a new toilet designed to take the stench out of "John."
Inventor Robert Smith says a trip to bathroom led him to spend several years, countless hours and thousands of dollars on his invention.
"I decided to go wash up, walked into a bathroom and somebody literally annihilated the bathroom," Smith said.
The VIP Odorless Toilet installs the same as most standard toilets. Smith's patented odor removal system fits in the back of the toilet, and operates on 12 volts.
"We tried to simplify it, not too many moving parts, something that's easily rebuildable, something that has longevity and quality," Smith said.
It's a simple concept. Before No. 2, the user lifts up on the handle that activates a small fan that begins to suck the stink directly into the sewer line through several holes in the bowl. The fan shuts off when the user flushes.
Smith says users don't have to worry about germs or bacteria being spread because they're actually sucked down with the gas.
Phil Nichols had one of the first VIP Odorless Toilets installed into his lumber companies bathroom. Nichols says he was skeptical at first.
"We tried it and of course nobody wanted to be the first one to admit it -- wasn't me by the way -- but the feedback was good that it was doing its job," Nichols said.
The VIP Odorless Toilet has just hit the market, but right now you can only buy it from the inventor.
Nasa is looking for a few good ( Mmmm) Men
The No. 1 need right now for some of the builders of the nation's next spaceship: Lots of No. 1.
Space program contractor Hamilton Sundstrand is seeking urine from workers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston as part of its work on the new Orion space capsule that would eventually take astronauts to the moon, according to an internal memo posted on the Web site Nasawatch.com.
The need is voluminous: 30 liters a day, which translates into nearly 8 gallons. Even on weekends.
Designers of the Orion, which will park unoccupied in space for up to six months while astronauts work on the moon, have to solve a pressing issue of getting rid of stored urine, said John Lewis, NASA's head of life support systems for Orion.
"Urine is a mess because urine is full of solids," Lewis said. Those solids clog the venting system for dumping pee, so keeping the waste disposal system clear is "really a challenge," he said.
NASA has a long standing tradition of collecting samples from its workers to help design better space toilets because "you can't make fake urine," Lewis said.
The Windsor Locks, Conn.-based Company building the Orion toilet needs the large volume of urine (about the daily output of 30 people) to work on urine acidity issues, said spokesman Leo Makowski. The memo seeking daily contributions from July 21 to July 31 was not meant to go public, he said.
City to Begin Cleaning Wastewater Pipelines
crews will begin cleaning the wastewater pipelines located along Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard to Watrous Avenue. Cleaning the pipeline removes sand and other deposits and restores capacity, as well as helps to ensure reliable operation of the system.
In order to perform the work south of Howard Avenue, some of the streets that intersect Bayshore Boulevard will be closed at the median, however no more than one median crossing will be closed at a time. During the cleaning of the pipe segments north of Howard Avenue, the western most northbound lane will be closed after 9 a.m. Barricades and signs will be installed to assist with traffic. All roadway and lane closures will reopen at the end of the workday. Work is expected to be completed by August 31, 2008.
For additional information regarding the project, please contact Contract Administration Department Construction Engineer, Don Cermeno, at (813) 635-3400 or don.cermeno@tampagov.net.
City of Tampa to install new water supply line
TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- A new pipeline project aimed at solving chronic water pressure problems is on the way for south Tampa residents.
Right now, Tampa water workers routinely maintain the decades-old underground water pipeline. The aging and deteriorating pipelines are blamed for water pressure problems in a number of Tampa neighborhoods.
South Tampa resident Craig Lane gets decent water pressure as he waters some freshly-laid sod on his lawn, but there are certain times of day when that isn't the case.
"You can't give your two-year-old a bath while your wife is doing the dishes," Lane said. "You know, it gets pretty annoying."
The pipeline will run from the water treatment facility in north Tampa to the Bay to Bay area of south Tampa.
The city plans to install brand-new 12-mile-long water supply line to help alleviate these problems. The pipeline will stretch from the water treatment facility in north Tampa to the Bay to Bay area of south Tampa.
The water department is notifying the residents in the area and deciding on the route the waterline will take. Officials with the department said they expect to recommend a preferred route to Mayor Pam Iorio and her administration this week.
The installation of the pipeline will post a challenge for the department. The pipe ranges in diameter from 36 inches to 48 inches, and all of it will be buried underground.
Tampa resident Jim White said he welcomes the relief the pipeline will bring, but he dreads the installation process.
"When they come in and tear up the roads around here to put pipelines in, it really disturbs the traffic and everything," he said.
On the other hand, Lane said he doesn't mind the inconvenience if it means better water pressure in the long run.
"For the expensive tax base down here, I think we deserve a little better water pressure," he said.
The construction of the pipeline is expected to begin next spring.
The High Cost of Leaks - Stop Flushing Your Money Down the Drain
Tampa, FL June 26, 2008 - Water leaks can be very expensive, even if you can not hear them. Leaks on the customer side of the meter may be registering lost water 24 hours a day for the entire 60 day period between readings. If your water bill is high, you may have a leak.
Make sure you are getting the most out of the water you are being billed for by checking for and repairing leaks. The first step in checking for a leak is to read your meter and not use any water for 30 minutes. Then read the meter again. If the dial has moved, it indicates that water has gone through the meter and that you may have a leak.
Faucets, toilets and sprinkler systems are the most common sources of leaks. Worn washers, leaky flappers or broken sprinkler heads can be easily repaired by those with do-it-yourself experience. Larger leaks or more complicated repairs may require the services of a licensed professional.
Customers can request low-flow faucet aerators, low flow showerheads, toilet leak detection tablets and brochures on saving water at Drain DoctorsFL.com. or by calling (813) 961.7808
The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Drain Doctors, Inc Is Proud to Announce:
June 20, 2008 - On behalf of Drain Doctors, Inc. (DDI), we would like to announce Doug Hunt (Plumbing Team No. 1 Field-Supervisor) has successfully completed the Florida Code training program. Upon completion of this training and testing, he joins the extended Pelky Family with the Title of ‘Master Plumber’. His perseverance to educate and instruct the next generation of plumbers has demonstrated his dedication to our trade. Additional news about Doug furthering our Service Area to include the Polk/Seminole/Orange /Osceola Counties will be forthcoming in the summer months 2008. We would like to thank you also, Doug for your continued support and dedication to DDI in the coming year.
Tampa Water Department to Host Open Houses for New Water Pipeline Project
June 11, 2008 - The City of Tampa Water Department will host two open houses to provide information on a new pipeline project. The new pipeline will deliver drinking water to points throughout Tampa between the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility in the northeast to the Bay to Bay area in the southwest.
The first open house will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the George M. Steinbrenner Family Boys and Girls Club (West Tampa), located at 1301 North Boulevard. This open house will provide information for the section of the project generally bounded by Habana Avenue to the west, Nebraska Avenue to the east, Columbus Drive to the north and Kennedy Boulevard to the south.
The second open house will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Christ the King Church, located at 821 South Dale Mabry Highway. This open house will provide information for the section of the project generally bounded by Dale Mabry Highway to the west, Armenia Avenue to the east, North A Street to the north and the Selmon Crosstown Expressway/Bay to Bay Boulevard to the south.
City of Tampa representatives will be present to answer questions and discuss the alternate pipeline routes.
For additional information, please contact India Williams with CH2M HILL at (813) 874-0777
Shutdown of Tampas Reclaimed Water System Scheduled
Tampa, FL June 9, 2008 - Reclaimed water will be unavailable to customers on Thursday morning, June 12, 2008. Tampa’s entire reclaimed water system will be temporarily shutdown for maintenance upgrades. Work is expected to begin after midnight on Thursday morning and continue until late morning.
The system upgrades are part of an ongoing program to improve the reclaimed water quality and prepare for system-wide flushing activity scheduled for the fall. For more information, customers can contact a Reclaimed Water Customer Service Representative at (813) 282-7827.
Be among the first to learn about reclaimed water news. Subscribe to the new Reclaimed Water Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed and receive up-to-date information according to your personal schedule. Receive the feed on your PC, PDA, cell phone or other electronic communication device. The information can even be automatically re-posted on your community or business web site. Sign up or find more information on this service at www.tampagov.net/appl_rss_feeds/.
Using reclaimed water for irrigation conserves Tampa’s drinking water supply, frees homeowners from watering restrictions and reduces the need to frequently fertilize due to the nutrient content of the water. To find out more about Tampa’s reclaimed water, including current service availability, visit www.TampaGov.net/ReclaimedWater or call (813) 282-7827.
The Tampa Water Department serves a 211-square mile area with a service population of approximately 645,000 people. The Tampa Water Department’s mission is to provide superior drinking water and reclaimed water services to its customers.
Wednesday Space Station Task: Plumbing
HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- Residents aboard the international space station were getting ready to take on a new task Wednesday: plumbing.
The space station's toilet broke two weeks ago.
The problem -- confined to the urine side of the commode -- has forced the orbiting outpost's crew of an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts to flush manually with extra water several times a day.
Space shuttle Discovery brought up a new pump for the testy toilet, as well as the space station's newest room, a $1 billion Japanese lab.
The mundane task of installing the 35-pound pump and hoses was to fall to Oleg Kononenko, one of the two Russians, on Wednesday morning. The job was expected to last two hours.
"We'll see (Wednesday) afternoon if that does the trick or if we need to figure out another solution," said Emily Nelson, a space station flight director.
In addition to fixing the toilet, the shuttle and space station crews planned to make power, data, air and water connections on the newly installed lab, named Kibo, which means hope in Japanese
Raytheon, DEP to discuss tainted wells with residents
ST. PETERSBURG (Bay News 9) -- Residents will be able to meet Friday night with officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Raytheon Company to discuss their concerns over contaminated wells.
Tests confirmed in April that some irrigation wells in the Azalea neighborhood of St. Petersburg are tainted with toxic chemicals from the nearby Raytheon Plant. Experts with the Centers for Disease Control say the chemical, 1,4 dioxane, could cause problems like kidney and liver damage, as well as cancer.
Some residents said they are not only concerned about the possible health implications, but that they also worry about the impact the contamination will have on their property values.
"At this point in our lives, it be property values," said Jane Lee Cobb, who lives in the Azalea neighborhood.
"It's going to be very difficult to sell a house at this point in this particular neighborhood," said Joe Colbert, who also lives in the neighborhood. "I don't think it's right."
Colbert said he hasn't used his well in weeks.
"We're very concerned about using the well at this point," he said.
Colbert, along with several of his neighbors, were warned that their irrigation wells may be contaminated on April 30.
Testing has confirmed that some of the irrigation wells in the neighborhood are contaminated by a toxic plume of industrial waste from a nearby Raytheon plant.
Residents like Colbert said they want to know why they were only told recently about the problem when it's been happening for years.
"My wife and I are both very concerned about the fact that there was no notification for 16 years," he said.
People who live in the neighborhood will have the chance to ask these questions at a meeting Friday at 7 p.m. in the Raytheon headquarters at 1501 72nd St. N. Raytheon leaders will speak with the residents about their concerns.
Officials with the Department of Environmental Protection said they will be available at 6 p.m. at the same location to meet with residents who have questions about the testing process and the results of those tests.
Residents of the neighborhood said they would like Raytheon to pay for a reclaimed water system to use instead of their wells. Some of the residents have also filed a lawsuit, asking for clean-up of the waste, financial damages and medical monitoring.
Space station's sole toilet out of order
WASHINGTON (AP) -- May 28, 2008 CNN.COM
The international space station's lone toilet is broken, leaving the crew with almost nowhere to go. So NASA may order an in-orbit plumbing service call when space shuttle Discovery visits next week.
Until then, the three-man crew will have to make do with a jury-rigged system when they need to urinate.
While one of the crew was using the Russian-made toilet last week, the toilet motor fan stopped working, according to NASA. Since then, the liquid waste gathering part of the toilet has been working on-and-off.
Fortunately, the solid waste collecting part is functioning normally.
Russian officials don't know the cause of the problem, and the crew has been unable to fix it.
The crew has used the toilet on the Soyuz return capsule, but it has a limited capacity. They now are using a backup bag-like collection system that can be connected to the broken toilet, according to NASA public affairs officials.
"Like any home anywhere, the importance of having a working bathroom is obvious," NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said.
The 7-year-old toilet has broken once before but not for as long a time, said Johnson Space Center spokeswoman Nicole Cloutier in Houston.
Discovery is already set for launch Saturday, with a planned docking with the space station Monday.
Cloutier said NASA officials are considering having some parts flown to Cape Canaveral, Florida, and placed in the shuttle during its countdown, an unusual and delicate situation. Because the shuttle's payload weight is limited and balance carefully calculated, it will be tricky to try to figure out where the parts can go, said Kennedy Space Center spokesman Bill Johnson
Discovery's main payload, a 32,000-pound Japanese laboratory addition, is so big that the shuttle's boom sensor system had to be removed to make room for the lab.
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