Valves are critical system control points in water and wastewater systems. Over time, their performance can degrade, and in many cases, stop working altogether. This Case Study will detail efforts made to release seized valves in three water distribution systems located in Illinois and Delaware. Using technology developed in the UK, field crews were able to successfully release and exercise all of the targeted valves in each community.

A list of known, seized valves, was provided by each utility. Attempts had previously been made to exercise these valves, both manually and via high-torque mechanical operating machines. In order to release and exercise the valves, a different technology was implemented by field crews, utilizing controlled-frequency vibration and low torque.

This presentation will detail all of the steps taken and the level-of-effort required to release and exercise the valves. A comparison will be made between traditional high-torque and vibrational low-torque technologies, citing the pros and cons of each, and the relative costs versus repair or replacement.