RENEW. A Water Main Cleaning and Lining Program Designed to Improve Water Quality and Service

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1 Investing in Our Infrastructure RENEW A Water Main Cleaning and Lining Program Designed to Improve Water Quality and Service 1500 Ronson Road P.O. Box 1500 Iselin, New Jersey renew Hotline Protecting Your Drinking Water

2 What is the RENEW Program? Middlesex Water Company s water distribution system includes cast iron pipe. The RENEW Program involves cleaning older sections of cast iron pipe and lining them with cement mortar. Over time, the build up of iron scale inside a pipe can diminish its water carrying capacity. Cleaning the pipe helps improve water flow while lining the pipe helps prevent future build up of scale. The Program is called RENEW because the cleaning and lining process essentially renews older pipes and helps improve overall water quality and service. Before RENEW Pipe Contains Iron Scale Buildup After RENEW Scale and Mineral Deposits Have Been Removed Middlesex Water Company began the RENEW Program in the early 1970 s as a means to strengthen its water distribution mains. The Company also uses this opportunity to replace all valves, any fire hydrants needing repair and water meters in need of periodic change. We are committed to rehabilitating our existing water distribution system and plan to continue this program throughout our service area for many years to come. What is involved in the RENEW Process? There are three phases to the RENEW Program. Phase I is the preparations phase during which bypass piping and temporary hydrants are installed. Phase II is the actual cleaning and lining process. Phase III is cleanup and restoration. Throughout the process, the Company s goal is to keep road excavation and customer inconvenience at a minimum. This brochure describes the entire effort and can help you better understand the scope and purpose of this worthwhile project.

3 Prudent investment in our water systems and facilities helps ensure a reliable water supply. PHASE I The Phase I part of the process is called Bypass. During this phase we bypass the existing water system by creating a temporary above-ground water system which involves the following: Bypass pipe in the street Bypass service hose from the street to the customer s home Blow back hose from the indoor water meter set to the exterior of the home In Phase I, limited openings are made in the street to allow crews access to the water main valves. Because the process involves taking the water main out of service, crews must identify an alternative source of water supply for customers. This source is usually a hydrant that is not linked to the main being cleaned. At his time, bypass piping will be seen in the streets and across driveways. These pipes are linked together so that an entire area can obtain water from the hydrant yet bypass the water main being serviced. Each bypass pipe s interior is flushed with water, chlorinated, then tested to ensure adherence to federal, state and local water quality standards. Next, a Middlesex Water Company representative must enter your basement to shut off water valves, disconnect your water meter and install a temporary blow back hose. This blow back hose keeps the service connection clear of obstructions during the cleaning and lining process so that once the process is over, normal water service can be restored. The blow back hose must then be snaked outdoors either through a wall or basement window.

4 While the meter is being disconnected, the home will be out of water for about one half hour. Water service is available once the bypass service hose outside your home is hooked to an outside hose connection. Customers with no outside water connection will have a temporary service line installed inside their home. Under normal circumstances, customers are not billed for water usage while their meter is disconnected. 6 4 View of service line hook up in basement interior Bypass Main Water Main 1. Supply pipes 2. Asphalt patch 3. Supply Hose 4. Blow back hose in installation in cellar, blow back hose exits house 5. Meter is removed and replaced with new meter 6. Service line entering basement 7. End of pipe plugged PHASE II Once the preparations of Phase I have been made, it is time for Phase II - the actual cleaning and willbclean.pdf 1 4/15/11 3:32 PM lining process. Phase II involves five critical steps: Scraping Drying Cement Lining Inspection Disinfection Each step is important and contributes to better water quality and increased water flow.

5 Step 1 Scrapings Z Water Flow Z Z Main A scraping instrument is pulled through a length of pipe to remove scale and mineral desposits from the interior of the pipe. The pipe is flushed with water during this operation to assist with the removal of the residue. Step 2 ZDiscZ A rubber edge disc is pulled through the pipe to remove excess water from the pipes interior. Step 3 Trowel ] Cement Spray ] Cement mortar is pumped through the hose and is followed by a cone-shaped trowel which smoothes the mortar to the interior of the pipe.

6 Step 4 \ Camera \ A video camera is inserted into the pipe to inspect the quality of the lining and check necessary tap connections. Step 5 All openings are reconnected. The main is chlorinated, flushed, sampled and tested. PHASE III Once the cleaning and lining process has been successfully completed, it is time for cleanup and restoration. The bypass piping and blow back hoses are removed from each home, and the service line is again flushed and chlorinated to assure complete compliance with all water quality standards. Any street openings are backfilled and fully restored. Any customer property restoration is also made at this time.

7 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RENEW PROGRAM Q. How long does the entire RENEW process take? A. The entire RENEW effort takes about 2-1/2 months with Phases I and II taking one month each and Phase III lasting approximately two weeks. We appreciate our customer s cooperation and understanding throughout this project. The shortterm inconvenience does result in long-term benefits. Q. Why does my water seem warmer than usual? A. Throughout the cleaning and lining period, we are bypassing the main and obtaining water from another source through the bypass pipe along your front property. The hoses may be laying in direct sunlight which may cause the water to be warmer than usual. Q. What are the metalplates in my street? A. The metalplates are a temporary covering to access holes to the water distribution system below. Crews performing main cleaning and lining will remove these plates to gain access to piping and valves. The plates are removed upon project completion & the street restored. Q. Is the bypass piping lying in my front yard safe and clean enough to obtain water from? A. The bypass piping is perfectly safe and is flushed, disinfected and tested before being connected to your home. Q. I am concerned about security throughout this process. How can I protect myself and my home? A. A utility service representatives will need to enter your home to disconnect your meter, make hose connections and connect you to the temporary above ground system. Before allowing anyone entry, please check for proper identification. Each employee carries photo identification. The Company also works with contractors who are clearly identified. If you have concerns about anyone associated with the RENEW Program, please call the Company for verification at Some customers are concerned about the exit from the basement required by blow back hoses. Middlesex Water representatives will work with customers to identify and provide a secure outlet for hoses. If any holes must be drilled, full restoration will be made.

8 Q. Will I continue to have water service throughout this effort? A. Customers will be given advance notice of when they will be without water. Normally the only disruption of water service occurs while the bypass connection is being made. During this time, you should only be without water for less than an hour. If you are without water for any extended period of time, please call the Company. Please note, under normal circumstances, customers will not be charged for water consumption while connected to the temporary service line set-up. Q. How do you determine which pipes require cleaning and lining? A. The Company maintains records of all unlined pipe in its distribution systems. An area is selected based on a comprehensive review of the main s history, geographic location, fire flow capacities and number of complaints received from the area. Q. What can customers do to help with the RENEW Program? A. Customer cooperation is needed and appreciated throughout the entire process. If you have been out of your home for any length of time during the RENEW effort, you should turn on your faucet as soon as you enter your home to make sure you have adequate water supply. Be sure to check for ID on anyone who must enter your home as part of this process. Please report any water disturbances or problems as soon as possible and note with whom you spoke. When walking, please be alert for hoses that may be lying along your property. Should you have a question or concern about the RENEW Program, please call and ask for a RENEW Program representative. RENEW Protecting your Drinking Water