Fire Hydrant (Closed) – One of the most widely observed but least recognized type of valve is the fire hydrant. Fire hydrants are connected to municipal water supply systems. They are specialized underground valves that can be opened and closed from ground level when needed in emergency situations. A fire hydrant is a source of water provided by most metropolitan communities to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water supply to assist in extinguishing a fire. The fire hydrant was invented by Birdsill Holly in around 1869. (See pictures below of the closed hydrant) Fire Hydrant (Open) –  Fire hydrant flushing is done to remove any sediment or stagnant water from the distribution system and to test fire hydrant operation. These steps are being taken to improve the overall water quality within the B.G.M.U. distribution system and to insure the delivery of the highest quality of water possible. (See pictures below of the open hydrant being flushed) Pump Station - A pump station is a group of pumping devices designed to raise or transfer fluids. A pump (pump station) is one of the first mechanical inventions of mankind mainly conceived for transporting water and water like substances from a low lying area to a place of elevation. (See pictures below of similar pumping stations at B.G.M.U.)   Water Line Valve - A water line valve is a product rarely noticed by the average person, yet it plays an important role in the quality of our life. Each time you turn on a water faucet you operate a valve. Without modern valve systems, there would be no fresh pure water in your home. There would be no public utilities, and beyond wood and coal, almost no energy of any kind. By definition, a valve is a device that controls the flow of a fluid. Today's valves can control not only the flow, but the rate, the volume, the pressure or the direction of liquids through a pipeline or similar passageway. Valves can turn on and turn off, regulate, modulate or isolate. Valves can also be used to isolate sections of water systems for repair or inspection. Valves can range in size from a fraction of an inch to as large as 30 feet in diameter and can vary in complexity from a simple brass valve available at the local hardware store to a precision-designed, highly sophisticated control valve, made of an exotic metal alloy. The valve is one of the most basic and indispensable components of our modern technological society. Yet it is one of the oldest products known to man, with a history of thousands of years. The most common valve in B.G.M.U.’s system is the valvebox type. These valves can be found in the pavement or grass as seen in the following pictures. (See pictures below of the water line valves and associated valve box) Water Tower - A water tower is an incredibly simple device. Although water towers come in all shapes and sizes, they all do the same thing: A water tower is simply a large, elevated tank of water. Water is placed in a closed tank (similar to this picture below) for storage. As the city needs water, water is allowed to flow from the water tower through pipes to homes and businesses in the community. Manholes - Most people are dimly aware of the myriad of functions manholes perform. A manhole is not just a “hole”, it is a hole, usually with a cover, through which a person may enter a sewer, drain, or similar structure. A manhole is designed to provide access to underground utilities such as power, sewer, gas, telephone etc. Beneath them lies a surface tunnel, with connected corridors that thread their way beneath the streets of our city. (See pictures below of a manhole) Water Meter – You might be interested in just how much water you use in a day. If you are, then you would most likely use a water meter to find out your total. A water meter is an instrument that measures the flow of water through a pipe. By reading your meter at the beginning and the end of the day you can compare the two totals to tell you how much water you and your family had used. The second reason is to check for leaks. If you turn off all the taps in your house and you notice your meter is still turning, chances are you have a leak somewhere and you need to contact B.G.M.U. for assistance. (See pictures below for water meters “Uninstalled” and “Installed in a residential yard”)   BGMU Kids 801 Center Street P.O. Box 10300 Bowling Green, KY 42102-7300 www.bgmukids.com Customer Service: (270) 782-1200