Problem with Air in the Water - Is a Smart Valve the Solution?

[dinga]

We are intermittently having problems with the water supply from the mains supply - sometimes there is no water at all; sometimes only high pressure air (which makes the meter over spin at a crazy rate); and sometimes a water flow which I suspect contains a fair quantity of air.

 

Ideally, I'd like to pump our water needs from the storage tank, with the tank automatically replenished direct from the mains supply (with a float to cutoff the flow when the tank is full).  This doesn't seem feasible when the water line is full of air for considerable periods.

 

Missus spoke with the local Water Authority whose immediate reaction was 'mai pen rai' - with the message being that they can do nothing.

 

Have been consulting with Prof Google, and see that Smart Valves are available that are installed on the user's side of the meter.  According to the manufacturer - a variable, spring-loaded plunger maintains a constant back pressure.  The pressurized column of water extends upstream through and past the water meter.  When any air reaches this pressurized water , the air becomes compressed and no longer maintains any volume.  It passes by the water meter in this compressed state until after it passes through the Smart Valve and soon returns to its uncompressed state.  The Smart Valve does not physically remove the air from the water , it just eliminates the volume of air and prevents the water meter from measuring it. 

 

Smart Value is claimed to:

*  keep the water line pressurized at the meter to avoid being charged for air volume

*  keep the flow rate in the desired range for additional water meter accuracy

*  reduce excessively high water pressure

*  eliminate over consumption due to high pressure

*  conserve water, especially in facilities without pressure reducers or flow regulators

*  act as a shock absorber against pressure surges and drops

 

Anyone have any experience/comments/suggestions about these Smart Valves or other ideas to solve the problems????

 

  

[carlyai]

We are intermittently having problems with the water supply from the mains supply - sometimes there is no water at all; sometimes only high pressure air (which makes the meter over spin at a crazy rate); and sometimes a water flow which I suspect contains a fair quantity of air.
 
Ideally, I'd like to pump our water needs from the storage tank, with the tank automatically replenished direct from the mains supply (with a float to cutoff the flow when the tank is full).  This doesn't seem feasible when the water line is full of air for considerable periods.
 
Missus spoke with the local Water Authority whose immediate reaction was 'mai pen rai' - with the message being that they can do nothing.
 
Have been consulting with Prof Google, and see that Smart Valves are available that are installed on the user's side of the meter.  According to the manufacturer - a variable, spring-loaded plunger maintains a constant back pressure.  The pressurized column of water extends upstream through and past the water meter.  When any air reaches this pressurized water , the air becomes compressed and no longer maintains any volume.  It passes by the water meter in this compressed state until after it passes through the Smart Valve and soon returns to its uncompressed state.  The Smart Valve does not physically remove the air from the water , it just eliminates the volume of air and prevents the water meter from measuring it. 
 
Smart Value is claimed to:
*  keep the water line pressurized at the meter to avoid being charged for air volume
*  keep the flow rate in the desired range for additional water meter accuracy
*  reduce excessively high water pressure
*  eliminate over consumption due to high pressure
*  conserve water, especially in facilities without pressure reducers or flow regulators
*  act as a shock absorber against pressure surges and drops
 
Anyone have any experience/comments/suggestions about these Smart Valves or other ideas to solve the problems????
 
  

This is a solution to the Mai Pen Ry comment. Reverse the water meter.
Would only be a last ditch solution.
If you forget to change it back before the meter reading man comes you can say.. My Pen Ry.
And, not sure if this method still works with the latest meters.
I will probably get howled down by other posters for this post. [emoji2]

Sent from my SM-J700F using Tapatalk

[weegee]

Get a Air Compressor, and blow the air back at them you are being charged for...

 

[RichCor]

Difficult, as they aren't acknowledging or cooperating.

 

So, move the meter. And while you install the new connection line for them to the meter, install an AVR on their side of the meter.

 

Wikipedia: Automatic bleeding valve

[cheeryble]

Presumably it's preferable not to draw from your own tank (except as an auxiliary tank as you will lose the pressure in the public system.

I suppose that depends if you have good pressure.