AWWA
American Water Works Association, the Denver, Colorado-based organization that sets standards for water works products and represents the interests of the North American water utilities and their suppliers.
Ball Valve
A control device that uses a ball-shaped member with a hole through its center that can be turned 90 degrees to the water or natural gas flow path to stop flow, or aligned with the flow path to allow the fluid to pass.
Bell
Six inches of the end of the pipe that is tapered to a larger size, usually with internal grooves used in restrained joint applications.
Brass Water Product
A special formulation of brass commonly used for smaller valves, fittings, and other specialty items used in water distribution systems, especially in the piping from the water main to the point of metering, called the service line. Typically, formulated with 85 percent copper with small amounts of other metals to contribute hardness, strength and malleability.
Butterfly Valve
A water control device with a narrow disc mounted in the water flow path that can be turned so the disc is aligned with the path allowing water to pass by it, or perpendicular to the path to stop the flow.
Casting
A process by which a material is introduced into a mold while it is liquid, allowed to solidify in the shape inside the mold, and then removed producing a fabricated object, part, or casing.
Control Valve
In the water industry, control valves are generally iron-bodied gate valves installed in the water mains, but also include many types of smaller bronze valves that perform special functions in connecting and controlling water in the end user’s service line. For use with natural gas, control valves are made of forged steel, cast or ductile iron, or brass.
Corporation Valve (stop)
A brass valve with a threaded inlet used to connect the water service line to the main, typically using a drilling and tapping machine while the main is pressurized. One of our first brass products.
Curb Valve (stop)
A valve installed in a service line and accessible from above ground, used by the water or gas purveyor to control delivery of water or natural gas to the customer.
Distribution Grid
A descriptive term for the system of water mains, which are typically installed in a grid pattern to help maintain a more constant pressure throughout the water system, and to allow multiple paths for water to reach each area of the system.
Distribution Piping System
A part of a water system consisting of the water mains, water services, valves, hydrants, meters and treatment equipment used to supply water to customers.
Drilling and Tapping
A procedure using special tools and equipment for connecting a service line to a main that typically remains under pressure, but without fluid being allowed to escape uncontrolled. A hole is bored into the main, threads cut into the sides of the hole and a special valve is threaded into the hole. The valve is installed in the closed position so that when the equipment is removed there will be no fluid flow until the service line is connected. We patented a Drilling and Tapping Machine in 1872.
Drilling Machine
A special machine used to cut holes in pipes that typically are under pressure, but without water or natural gas being allowed to escape uncontrolled, during the process of installing fittings that accommodate connections to, or extensions of, existing mains.
Dry Barrel Fire Hydrant
A type of fire hydrant with one primary valve in its base and designed to be located below the frost line so that water will not freeze in the part of the hydrant located above ground and exposed to weather. This is the most common type of fire hydrant used in North America.
Ductile Iron
Cast iron used in the production of Ductile Iron cast iron pipe that is stronger, requires less support and provides greater flow area compared to iron pipe made of other materials.
Fire Hydrant
Used to access water directly from the main and equipped with nozzles to connect fire apparatus to supply water for fire fighters.
Fitting
A device used for connecting pipes together; also an accessory such as a locknut, bushing or other part of a wiring system which is intended primarily to perform a mechanical rather than an electrical function.
Fittings Restraint
Provides restraint against external forces or against separation due to internal pressures.
Flushing Hydrant
A hydrant used to flush the water main. Also called blow-off hydrants.
Foundry
A factory where metal castings are produced.
Gas Distribution System
A system of pipes and fittings for the distribution of natural gas within the geographical area of the end user, typically within a municipality. It includes the underground piping comprised of mains and smaller diameter service lines that carry natural gas from the bulk supplier to the end user.
Gate Valve
A water control device that provides for the movement of a barrier into and out of the water flow path, thus allowing the water flow to be stopped or permitted to pass. Typically installed in mains to allow sections to be isolated for repairs and additions.
Gray Water (Reclaimed water)
Partially-treated, used household water from kitchen or laundry that is used for irrigation as a water conservation measure. Typically comprises a separate collection and distribution system in which the components are marked by the color purple to distinguish this system from the potable water system.
Hanger
Device attached to walls or other structure for support of pipe lines.
Hanger & Support
Devices for supporting and securing pipe, fixtures and equipment.
HDD
A method for installing pipe underground without digging a trench, in which the pipe is typically pushed horizontally through the soil using specialized equipment that is capable of both steering the leading end of the pipe while it pushes the pipe from the entry point to the desired exit location.
Infiltration
The process of water moving into and through the soil.
Inside the Fence
A term applied to that portion of a water or sewer distribution system that is part of the treatment plant for potable water or sewage/storm water.
Joint
At the points in a pipeline where individual pipes are joined together or where a pipe is joined to some other item such as a valve. The joint typically involves a means to restrain the pipe ends at the joint using such things as threads, flanges or other specialized methods, and to seal the pipe ends in the joint using such things as sealants, gaskets or O-rings.
Joint Fitting
The place where parts or pieces of something are joined together i.e. fixture, feature, fixed object, boss, connector and socket.
Joint Restraint
Restrain ductile iron pipe connections above or below ground, for valves, hydrants, and pipe. It also can be used on steel pipe when joining to mechanical objects.
Main
The larger diameter pipes that carry potable water or natural gas throughout the area served by the water or gas purveyor.
Main Valves
Valves installed at tees or crosses where two or more water mains intersect, so that the mains can be isolated for emergency repair and maintenance.
Meter Box
An enclosure for the water meter when it is to be mounted below ground level.
Meter Valve
A valve used in conjunction with a water or gas meter to shut off flow when the meter is removed, or to shut off service.
MJ
A pipe connection style that uses a resilient ring compressed by a gland tightened by bolts around the end of the pipe and inside the connection to both restrain the pipe end in the connection and seal the connection.
Outside the Fence
A term applied to the distribution system, exclusive of the treatment plant, including the piping and conveyance of potable water to users, or sewer/storm water collection and conveyance.
Pipe Restraint
A method of restraining pipe to mechanical joints.
Plug Valve
A control device using a cylindrical- or conically- shaped plug with a hole through it that can be turned 90 degrees to the water or natural gas flow path to stop flow, or aligned with the flow path to allow the fluid to pass.
Potable Water
Water that has been treated to make it suitable for human consumption.
Private Work
Underground water/sewer/storm water distribution systems installed by private developers.
PSI
Pounds per square inch.
Public Work
Systems installed and maintained by public municipal departments.
Pump Station
A facility that pump fluids from one place to another, such as the supply of water to canals, the drainage of low-lying land and the removal of sewage to processing sites.
Restrained Joint
A joint that offers resistance against forces that act to pull or push the pipe out of the joint.
Service Line
The smaller diameter piping that connects to the water or natural gas main and carries potable water or natural gas to the end user’s location. For water the line is typically made of copper or PVC or polyethylene (PE) plastic. For gas the line is normally steel or high density polyethylene plastic.
Service Valves
Valves used to isolate a single building from the water or gas main; installed on the service line between the main and the building, usually near the street curb; also called curbstop.
Tap
A small connection made to a water or gas main for the service line.
UL/FM
A designation for a group of products that are both listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and approved by Factory Mutual Systems, underwriters for materials installed as part of fire sprinkler systems.
Valve
A mechanical device by which the flow of liquid may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways.
Water Distribution System
Generally, the buried portion of the piping system that delivers potable water from the treatment plant to the end user, up to and including the water meter. It is comprised primarily of pipe, fittings, control valves, fire hydrants, as well as hundreds of other specialty items depending upon the specific circumstances of the pipe installation.
Water Meter
A device in a meter line to measure the volume of water passing through the line, and typically used as the basis for how much the customer will be billed for water usage.
Water Treatment Plant
A facility where raw water is received from its source, then subjected to various processes to remove impurities to make the water suitable for human consumption before the water enters the distribution piping system.
Water Pressure
The force of the water available in a water supply system.
Water Works Bronze
(See Brass Water Product).
Wet Barrel Fire Hydrant
A type of fire hydrant with a valve at each nozzle and water inside the exposed part of the hydrant at all times. This type of hydrant is only used where freezing weather does not occur.
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