In late March 2016, an estimated 60-ft-wide by 35-ft deep sinkhole developed in Tarpon Springs, Fla., leading to the evacuation of several homes. The sinkhole engulfed part of a nearby road and damaged two sewer lines and a water line.
Within 36 hours, American Flow Control, a provider of valves and hydrants for the waterworks industry, built and delivered two 30-in. and two 24-in. series 2500 resilient wedge gate valves to help repair the impacted sewer line. Ferguson Waterworks-Tampa was the distributor for the project and Rowland Inc. was the contractor.
“It’s difficult for delivery to happen that quickly, especially for a 30-in. valve,” said Dennis Simpson, a unit supervisor with Pinellas County. “We really appreciated it.”
The two 30-in. valves will be used when the sewer line is permanently fixed later this year, while the two 24-in. valves are being used in the temporary bypass on the sewer line. The company’s 30-in. ductile iron pipe will be used in the repair of the sewer line, which is scheduled for July.
Sinkholes are fairly common in this area and are caused when the lime rock below the ground deteriorates. The city of Tarpon Springs was in the process of plugging the sinkhole when it caved in. The sinkhole has now been filled, and when possible, Tarpon Springs will stabilize the ground by injecting concrete grout into the plugged sinkhole to solidify the dirt in the hole. Once the ground is determined to be stable, the permanent pipe will be installed.
Source: American Flow Control
