Water Services and Fire Fighting in Maryland

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion

Introduction

Water is the chief consumption in relation to human life. Humans can survive without food for up to seven days but if deprived of water they can only live for a maximum of three before they die of dehydration. It has been a world goal therefore to supply all humans with reliable water services. To achieve this goal, individual persons, counties, states and governments are responsible for taking action. Maryland State has not been left behind. To begin with, we look at the geography of Maryland. Maryland is one of the States of the United States located in the Mid Atlantic region. It is located North of the District of Columbia, South of Pennsylvania while to its East is Delaware and Virginia to its West. According to the US census bureau population estimates of 2009, Maryland is estimated to have a population of about 5,699,478 people.

Discussion

History of water in Maryland

The history of water in Maryland draws us back to the 18^th century. Government was realizing the need to set up systems to fulfill the necessity of its people concerning water. The private sector was not left behind. Today, Maryland goes down in history as the state that authorized the first water service company in the United States in 1787. The company’s name was Baltimore Insurance Company. However, the effort did not turn out successful. There was still no giving up though. In 1797, Maryland saw the erection and maintenance of water pumps which was not entirely successful as well. In the early eighteen hundreds however, the face of water services took a new look when the then Baltimore water company was formed and given land and water privileges. The company in its mandate was able to construct reservoirs such as the one in South East Calvert, receiving its waters from the Jones falls.

Water services in Maryland today

Today with an estimated population of 5,699,478 people, Maryland’s residents need clean drinking water, safe water for domestic use, water for industrial use and water for emergency response such as fire fighting. This situation is well handled by the well over twenty registered water service companies today. All these companies rely on rain, river and groundwater. The pumps of 1797, reservoirs of 1854, Ronald dam of 1862 not forgetting Druid reservoir (Lake Chapman) of 1873 among other more recent sources are the basic water harbors in Maryland.

These sources are able to quench the thirst of Maryland dwellers. They provide domestic water to households and industrial water to companies. Institutions and organizations as well tap their waters from these sources.

Water treatment

Water though being one of the only compounds that are pure in their natural state also has its impurities. To make it suitable for human use, treatment measures are taken. Their aim is to solve water problems such as bacteria infections and undesirable chemical contents such as nitrates, lead, radium, radon, acid, iron among others. Hard water also needs to be softened and this is done through treatment. There is pressure on companies providing water services to treat their water before supply.

Standard regulation

There is a need to keep suppliers on toes if quality services are expected. The people of Maryland are able to pressurize the responsible system of water delivery through organizations such as the Maryland’s Office of People’s Counsel. Through regulatory activities such as interventions and communication, such organizations are able to ensure quality in consumer services including of course, water services.

Piping system in Maryland

The channels used to deliver water in Maryland are entirely piping. Copper piping is the main type of piping in Maryland. Copper is produced in different forms to suit the different destinations, either light copper for domestic supply or rigid copper for industrial supply. Due the copper pipe diversification, they have been chosen over other types not only in Maryland but actually in the entire US over the past half century. To help fight the misdoings of copper piping, the state has set a standard code. The Maryland 2009 National Standard Plumbing code adapted in 2009 gives the standard requirements for any pipe installation procedure.

Fire fighting in Maryland

One commonly ignored utility of water is in fire fighting. In Midland however, this hasn’t been taken for granted. As a caution against fire tragedies, Maryland the state awarded Maryland Forest Service a state fire Assistance Hazard Mitigation grant. In the grant, one of the key mandates was installation of dry hydrants. By 2007, 114 new dry hydrants had been successfully installed. These were placed on the basis of county. Consideration was prioritized on population density which saw Carroll County, the highest populated county in Maryland State scoop 45 dry hydrants.

Literary, all counties in Maryland have hydrants. However, in case of long distances, fire fighters have to rely on tankers to fight fire.

Hydrant standard regulation

For efficiency and effectiveness, Maryland Public pools and Spas association has set regulations that govern piping layout. During constructions, engineers and architects join in drawing system plans as they differ from one location to another on the basis of topography and terrain.

Maps of hydrant distribution in Maryland

To see a map of hydrant distribution in Maryland. The pattern formed by this layout creates a web referred to as the tree grid.

Conclusion

To ensure that standards of water services and hydrants are not compromised by the dealer companies, ISO tests are conducted occasionally.

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