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29 <br /> Michael Harvey <br /> From: Deputy Chief Pete Hallenbeck <br /> Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2015 9:46 AM <br /> To: Michael Harvey <br /> Cc: Jason Shepherd;James Groves <br /> Subject: Re: Response from Harts Mill on water line and wastewater disposal concerns <br /> Regarding the wast water system: There is so much open space land that should a field fail, there are other <br /> areas that could be utilized. Other than that comment, what Mr. Hughes wrote works for me(with the <br /> understanding that this is not an area of expertise for me). <br /> Regarding the water pipe size for the development, I see no value to an 8"pipe. The 6"pipe will be fine. As <br /> long as there is a hydrant just before the drop from 6"to 4"Efland FD is good with 6". A hydrant location by <br /> the pond and hydrants close to the structures and at least every 1000' on a 6"line will be sufficient. <br /> Comments on Mr Hughes comments: <br /> With regard to the statement of the departments choice of a hydrant or pond as the primary water supply: <br /> In the event of a fire, Efland will most likely use the hydrant 1st due to the quicker set-up times. The on-site <br /> pond would be used if there was a need for a substantial amount of water at greater than 300 GPM rate. As <br /> many Firefighters know, you are either going to get a fire put out in a few minutes with two hand held hose <br /> lines at less than 300 GPM or you are going to be there a while and flow a lot of water. <br /> With regard to the OAWS system being used for fire supression: <br /> There has been an ongoing "discussion"between Efland FD and OAWS regarding the role of <br /> OAWS. OAWS indeed has claimed that they are not in the business of providing water for fire protection. Yet <br /> a 12"main on US 70 was installed, which is larger than needed if the goal was just providing drinking <br /> water. The initial system was purchased with a government grant. Subsequent expansion was funded by <br /> OAWS, and typically 6"lines where installed for economic reasons. This has resulted in a bit of a"Whack-a- <br /> Mole"funding scenario where OAWS saves money installing water lines,but Efland FD has to purchase an <br /> additional engine to flow the low flow hydrants on those 6"lines. <br /> The benefit of a water system that can support fire suppression is clear, and the Habitat for Humanity <br /> subdivisions are all hydrated and sprinklered. The Ashwick subdivision developers chose to install an 8"line so <br /> that the hydrants in the subdivision would have a usable flow rate. Both Ashwick and the Habitat developments <br /> had water systems funded by the developer and not OAWS, and it is likely that this trend will continue. The <br /> recent Tinnan Road Habitat system looped back into Richmond Hills to boost the hydrant flow, which was just <br /> barely useable for fire supression. A well designed(but more expensive) system helps with the fire departments <br /> ISO rating which in turn saves homeowners money on their insurance. Another cost "Whack-a-Mole" scenario- <br /> a cheaper water bill but more expensive insurance bill. <br /> Since water lines bring development it is not unreasonable to see a time when the older 6"lines are upgraded <br /> to a larger pipe as the growth that accompanies water systems continues. This future growth will most likely <br /> occur with the expectation that subdivisions should have hydrants, which we are already seeing. As such, a 6" <br /> for Harts Mill will provide all the flow needed to protect the planned subdivision in the future should the Frazier <br /> Rd water line be upgraded. And for now, it will provide low-flow hydrants which still have value due to the <br /> ease of use and reduced time to connect up to a pumper critical in the initial phase of fire suppression activities. <br /> -pete <br /> i <br />