Seeing the Solution.
Conserventi Valve was started by John Polifka. A solution was needed for water loss from broken or sheared off wet-barrel Fire Hydrants after witnessing multiple occurrences in the San Diego, California area.
Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant
Wet barrel fire hydrants found all throughout the San Diego region.
Sheared Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant
Typically sheared by vehicles presenting a problem.
Sheared Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant
Where the Conserventi Valve delivers the solution.
John has a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering and has been working in the Aerospace and Automotive industry for over 34 years. His design knowledge of mechanical systems, structures and systems design was instrumental in the final design of the mechanically actuated device used in the Conserventi Valve design.
Why Conserventi Valve
As water conservation remains critical in many areas of our nation, wet-barrel fire hydrants that are sheared off due to accidental collisions can produce extensive water loss and real property damage. Imagine a vehicle colliding into a fire hydrant in your neighborhood, street, or business; within fractions of a second, hundreds of gallons of water can be flowing from the hydrant main flooding streets, sidewalks, private property, yards, and parking lots. The average response time to manually close the street valve is about one hour, meanwhile the 6-inch water main will have dumped tens of thousands of gallons of potable water into the street and down the closest storm drain.
The Conserventi Valve is the patented solution to minimize water loss during these events. A sheared fire hydrant must have a way to close immediately to minimize water loss and prevent severe water damage to adjacent structures. Since the water flow is stopped immediately, the water velocity never achieves full velocity, so “water hammer” cannot occur and the subterranean infrastructure will not be damaged.
How the Conserventi Valve protects sheared, wet-barrel Fire Hydrants:
The retrofit is easily installed underneath any existing fire hydrant in any existing municipality water distribution system. The Conserventi Valve fits directly into the existing piping system by dropping it into position and retightening the bolts which attach the hydrant to the supply line so there is no need for municipalities or water districts to change existing water piping systems. The existing wet barrel fire hydrant is removed, the Conserventi Valve is installed into the existing main riser and the fire hydrant is re-installed and ready to protect against fires and water loss.
Without Conserventi Valve installed, water will run until emergency responders arrive on the scene to shut off the main water supply via the underground valve, usually located in the middle of the street and cause additional damage. The use of existing break off collars and break off bolts from the municipality provide a certified solution that requires no additional testing.
Who benefits from the Conserventi Valve?
Everyone benefits, especially rate payers and water departments. Water conservation ensures that water will be available for everyone. Less firefighters, less police officers, and less city water department personnel will need to arrive at the scene, if a Conserventi Valve is in use substantially reducing costs.
Whether you’re a city water department manager, homeowner in a residential neighborhood or a business owner with a fire hydrant near your business; the risk of water damage to your property is a major concern in the event of an accident. Municipalities in arid environments that utilize wet barrel fire hydrants can protect themselves, by lowering their liability and potential monetary loss from non-revenue generating water losses and since water cost is at an all-time high and rising in water districts around southern California, the investment makes sense.