PHASE 6
Following successful pressure zone switchovers in the Phase 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 areas of northern Wake Forest, City of Raleigh Public Utilities officials recently announced plans for the sixth and final phase.

Implementation of the sixth phase is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011.  

This phase of the project will affect areas west of White Street, from south along Durham Road (Old NC 98) and South Avenue, to north along West Juniper Avenue and Robinson Drive and west to McDowell Drive.  

Please refer to this map for specifics concerning the Phase 6 area, which includes the following subdivisions, developments, and commercial centers: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, Paschal Golf Club, Wake Forest Baptist Church, Fletcher Village and McDowell Townhouses.

• View a map of the Phase 6 area (file is 2.5 MB in size)  
• View a map of all affected areas (file is 4 MB in size)

The pressure zone switchover will produce approximately 80 pounds of water pressure for the nearly 330 City of Raleigh water customers in the Phase 6 area. Officials say that although property owners will likely consider the water pressure increase beneficial, they should take precautions to prevent potential problems.

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE (PRV)
The North Carolina Plumbing Code requires a pressure reducing valve (PRV) on all water services with a delivery pressure of greater than 80 pounds of pressure. Residents and businesses should verify whether they have a pressure reducing valve, and if not, have one installed. The verification and/or installation of the pressure reducing valve is the responsibility of the homeowner and business owner.

• View an enlarged image of a pressure reducing valve
• View various types of PRVs

LOCATING YOUR PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE

1. Determine if there is an additional water meter box or irrigation valve box located on the house side of the water meter which is located outside in your yard. If so, lift the lid to determine if the PRV is inside this box.
2. Next, locate the service valve that shuts off your home’s water service. The service valve may be located in the crawl space under your house, in a closet positioned close to the point the water service line enters into the house, or - if your house is constructed on a concrete slab - where the water service line comes up through the slab. The water service shutoff valve and PRV could also be installed in or on a garage wall, coat closet, entrance closet, utility closet or near the water heater but technically should be within three inches of the area the water service line enters the house. The PRV should be after the water service shutoff valve (but not always), but before the water line runs to any plumbing fixture (faucet, spigot, water heater, toilet, shower, etc).  
3. If you have a crawl space under your house, begin checking the water service line from where it enters through the foundation to wherever you can see the first branch line extending to a fixture. Sometimes the PRV may be is "hiding" in the flooring insulation because they are mounted to a floor joist.

REIMBURSEMENT OPPORTUNITY
From now through Tuesday, Aug. 23, the City of Raleigh will reimburse homeowners up to $275 for the cost of the installation of a pressure reducing valve for properties that do not have one. The PRV reimbursement program applies to new installations only - not replacements. The reimbursement is limited to the actual cost associated with the installation of the pressure reducing valve or $275, whichever is less. Business owners are not eligible for reimbursement.

PLEASE NOTE: Homeowners that schedule a plumber to verify a PRV in their plumbing system will not be reimbursed by the City of Raleigh for the cost of the plumber's visit. Payment for verification of a PRV in the homeowner's plumbing system is NOT a reimbursable expense and will be done so at the owner’s expense and responsibility. However, the cost of the Town of Wake Forest permit fee required for plumbing modifications is an eligible expense and can be applied to the $275 reimbursement limit.

Homeowners seeking reimbursement should submit the invoice for the work or a copy of the invoice with the PRV Cost Reimbursement Application to City of Raleigh, Attention: Jewell Wiggins, Public Utilities Department, Water Pressure Increase Project (Phase 6), PO Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602.

• Download the PRV Reimbursement Form

PRV Reimbursement Forms are also available at the Customer Information Desk in the lobby of town hall, 301 S. Brooks St.

All property owners are urged to check their plumbing system to identify components that may be prone to failure during the pressure increase. According to Raleigh Public Utilities officials, recent experience suggests that washing machine hoses and water heaters are the most vulnerable components of the plumbing system. Homeowners should also watch for wet areas in the yard that could indicate a leak in the underground service line.

Finally, please make plans to monitor yor plumbing system from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24. If you cannot be home or if you are a landlord/property owner that has vacant rental property, please ensure that someone is present at the residence or business to keep an eye on the plumbing system. Otherwise, please turn off the water supply at the shutoff valve inside your house or business until you can be present to monitor the system.

If you have general questions about this project, please contact Assistant Public Utilities Director Donna Jackson at (919) 524-5461. If you have questions or emergencies during the pressure switch on the morning of Aug. 24, 2011, please contact the Public Utilities Department at one of the following phone numbers: (919) 996-4526, (919) 996-4527 or (919) 996-4528.