GHA Announces Renaming of Facilities & Utilities Management Division to Public Works Operations Division
Vernon Hills, IL – Gewalt Hamilton Associates (GHA) is pleased to announce that its Facilities and Utilities Management (FUM) Division will now be known as the Public Works Operations Division. This new name better reflects the division’s dedication to supporting municipalities and public entities with comprehensive public works services, while maintaining the same reliable, high-quality solutions clients have come to expect.
The Public Works Operations Division provides comprehensive services, including asset management, maintenance planning, stormwater solutions, operational assessments, and more. By emphasizing public works operations in its name, it reflects a dedication to supporting municipalities as they face infrastructure challenges and prepare for future demands.
Mike Grinnell, Director of Public Works Operations, explained, “This reflects our dedication to addressing the pressing needs of today while keeping an eye on the future. Our clients can be confident that, while the name has changed, our focus on providing practical solutions and dependable service remains the same.”
The Public Works Operations Division has long been a trusted partner to municipalities, schools, and other public entities. Services such as hydrant flushing, valve maintenance, and certified water operator support ensure communities have reliable access to clean, safe water. These essential tasks extend beyond daily operations to enhance emergency preparedness, mitigate risks, and optimize the efficiency of public infrastructure. For example:
Hydrant Flushing and Maintenance: Regular inspections and flushing protect water quality and ensure hydrants are operational for emergencies.
Valve Maintenance: Proactive inspection and repair programs reduce water loss and minimize the risk of costly system failures.
Management and Supervisory Support: Providing guidance for public works operations, coordinating building system maintenance, and overseeing repairs to maintain operational efficiency and reliability.
Sanitary and Storm Sewer Operations: Monitoring lift stations, managing pump operations, conducting manhole inspections, overseeing CCTV evaluations, and utilizing inflow and infiltration (I&I) inspection tools to prevent flooding and identify potential system vulnerabilities.
Grinnell added, “From confined space training to implementing proactive maintenance strategies, our team is equipped to handle the unique demands of public works operations with precision and care. Delivering the highest standard of service to every client is our priority.”
About Gewalt Hamilton Associates
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA) is a Professional Engineering and Land Surveying firm licensed and registered in Illinois. For more than 40 years, GHA has been providing civil engineering, surveying, and related services to municipal governments, townships, county and state agencies, school districts, park districts, colleges and universities, and private organizations.
Hydrant Flushing & Maintenance: Why It's Essential for Your Community
At Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA), our Public Works Operations (PWO) Division understands that the availability of clean, safe water is a top priority in any community. One often overlooked aspect of maintaining this vital resource is hydrant flushing and maintenance. While it may seem like a minor detail, this practice is essential for guaranteeing that residents receive high-quality water and that hydrants are fully operational for emergency firefighting situations.
The Guidelines
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) Manual M17 is the definitive guide for hydrant inspections and maintenance. It recommends performing inspections at least once a year, typically in the spring. However, it's good practice to conduct an additional inspection during the fall. Following these guidelines, GHA's PWO Division conducts inspections at least twice a year. This ensures that hydrant barrels are drained to prevent freezing during the winter months, a proactive measure that can save communities both time and resources in the long run. "Regular hydrant maintenance is one of those things that you don't notice until you really need it,” says GHA Utility Operation Technician Rob Ulrich “It's a fundamental aspect of community safety and well-being."
Ensuring Water Quality
Hydrant flushing is not just about emergency preparedness; it's also about water quality. Dead-end water mains, or those that don't have sufficient daily flow, can become a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause chlorine residuals to drop to ineffective levels. Flushing these mains ensures that water quality remains high and that chlorine residuals are maintained, making the water safe for everyday use. Mike Grinnell, Director of Facilities and Utilities Management, added, "How well we maintain our hydrants directly impacts the quality of water in a community. It's not just about emergencies; it's about everyday health and quality of life.”
Two GHA employees flush a hydrant in Round Lake Beach.
Emergency Preparedness
In the event of a fire or other emergency requiring large volumes of water, a malfunctioning hydrant can have serious consequences. The regular maintenance performed by GHA’s PWO Division goes beyond simply turning a valve. The maintenance process is comprehensive, covering a range of checks and procedures. These include flushing the hydrant to remove foreign material, verifying drain valve operation, and checking for leakage at specific points like flanges and seals. These steps follow the AWWA Manual M17 guidelines and aim to ensure the optimal function of each hydrant component. This level of attention to detail can make all the difference in emergency situations, where every second counts.
Community Benefits
Beyond the obvious benefits of clean water and emergency preparedness, regular hydrant maintenance can also offer financial advantages for a community. A well-maintained water system is more efficient, reducing the costs associated with water loss and system failures. Communities that can demonstrate a high level of preparedness may also see benefits in terms of insurance ratings, potentially lowering premiums for property owners.
Hydrant flushing and maintenance is a critical aspect of community infrastructure that often goes unnoticed until it's too late. By adhering to guidelines like those set forth by the AWWA and by maintaining a regular schedule of inspections and flushing, communities can ensure that they are both saving money and, more importantly, safeguarding the health and safety of their residents. At GHA, ourPWO Division is dedicated to upholding these standards, ensuring that we continue to deliver reliable and effective solutions for our communities.
Water infrastructure is fundamental to any community, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of one of our most vital resources. However, the significance of watermain valve maintenance is often overlooked, despite its critical role in safeguarding water systems. The American Water Works Association’s Manual M44 provides comprehensive guidance for the maintenance of distribution valves, a resource that Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc.’s (GHA) Public Works Operations (PWO) division strongly advocates for in developing maintenance programs for municipalities.
Valve Maintenance: A Critical Component for Water System Integrity
Valve maintenance programs are essential, beginning with the validation of valve components against AWWA, ASME, and ANSI standards at the manufacturing level, ensuring each valve passes a series of critical tests. The PWO division advocates for a thorough post-delivery inspection to ascertain the valves’ operational status, a critical safeguard against potential disruptions in both planned maintenance and unexpected events.
The PWO division’s maintenance strategy extends to regular evaluations for corrosion, structural integrity, and valve operability. Proactive identification and resolution of these issues are critical to preventing potential emergencies, and ensuring that the water system remains a reliable resource for the community. This approach not only upholds the system’s integrity but also reflects the division’s dedication to maintaining community trust through consistent and dependable water service management.
The benefits of such programs extend beyond the immediate operational advantages. “When we maintain our watermain valves, we’re also preserving public trust in their water system,” says GHA Operations Superintendent Jean Scher. “Residents and businesses need to know that their water supply is secure and that their city is looking out for their well-being.” Through the PWO division, GHA reinforces this trust by maintaining a consistent and reliable water service.
Emergency Preparedness
Mike Grinnell, PWO Division Director
A watermain valve maintenance program is pivotal in ensuring that valves are operational when needed. “The worst time to discover a problem is during an emergency,” states Mike Grinnell, Director of Facilities and Utilities Management. “That’s why functionality is critical; it’s about preparing for both planned events and unexpected emergencies, minimizing the impact on residents and businesses.” The PWO division’s approach to maintenance emphasizes this preparedness, ensuring reliability in every valve in the water distribution network.
Cost-Saving Benefits
GHA recommends a multi-year valve inspection and exercise program that allows a village or city to systematically ensure that every valve within its jurisdiction is in top working order. This kind of foresight and planning can save a community significant resources in the long run. “It’s not just about preventing water loss or service disruption,” Scher adds. “It’s also about smart financial planning. Emergency repairs can be costly, and regular maintenance is a cost-effective strategy to avoid those unexpected expenses.” The PWO division’s role is pivotal in guiding municipalities through the intricacies of these maintenance programs, ensuring long-term operational efficiency.
The importance of watermain valve maintenance programs cannot be overstated. They are essential for the operational efficiency, safety, and reliability of a community’s water distribution system. GHA’s PWO division stands ready to assist municipalities in implementing these critical maintenance strategies, ensuring that water systems are not only functional but also resilient. “At the end of the day, it’s about providing communities with the assurance that their water system will perform when they need it most,” concludes Grinnell “And that’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”
