District Focused on Dual-Tank System and Safety Measures

Recent discussions of Blue River’s extensive water distribution system included details of how a two-tank storage setup was functioning. The technical discussion detailed the equalization process between tanks, monitoring practices, and safeguards in place to ensure safe water delivery.

The system includes interconnected storage tanks of different sizes that work together to maintain water supply and pressure. Water District superintendent Jim Parks said a valve on the smaller tank that plays a central role in regulating flow was something he was closely monitoring. When the smaller tank reaches capacity, he said, the valve automatically closes, directing incoming water to the larger tank. Once both are full, the system shuts off further inflow while continuing to provide supplies to the distribution system without interruption.

Parks described monitoring the system throughout recent days as the two tanks approached a balance. While taking care to avoid over-equalization – an unlikely condition that could potentially cause water from one tank to mix with the other – he emphasized that the system had been designed to prevent such issues under normal operating conditions.

Overall, he said, the dual-tank system is carefully monitored and engineered to provide continuous, safe water service, even as tanks fill, balance, and cycle through normal operations.