Each one is only slightly larger than a dime, but orifice plates have been saving Flin Flon taxpayers big dollars this winter.
The City of Flin Flon is crediting its plate-replacement program with a dramatic drop in water line freeze-ups.
“That’s probably the single biggest difference between last year and this year,” said Mark Kolt, chief administrative officer for the city. “We certainly have had our share of cold weather so far and we’ve had a fraction of the problems.”
An orifice plate is a small, button-like brass disc used to create a pressure differential between the main line and the return water line connected to each building in Flin Flon.
This helps prevent the slowdown or stoppage of water flow, thereby reducing the chances of a freeze-up.
“That’s why we have problems, generally, at the end of our lines, where our supply and return lines are, because that’s the spot where the pressure equalizes and then you get freeze-ups,” said Coun. Bill Hanson, chair of the city’s Engineering Services Committee.
Orifice plates have long been used in Flin Flon, but they wear out over time or can be removed by property owners unaware of their purpose.
Over the past year, the city has replaced about two-thirds of the plates in the community, with a goal to replace the remaining ones later in 2015.
Since plate installations require city workers to access each property, continued cooperation from the public will be crucial.
“The other thing that’s more important is there’s not a clear understanding of the benefits of doing it, so some people avoid it,” said Mayor Cal Huntley. “And that’s part of our job, is to make sure that the citizens are aware of the benefits that they’re getting through the orifice [plate program].”
Once all of the plates are replaced, Huntley said the goal is to replace them again after a period of time, likely a decade.
Kolt could not say in percentage terms how many fewer freeze-ups have been reported this winter, but he said the figure is significant.
While some residents worry the orifice plates will cause their homes to lose water pressure, Huntley said is really no impact in this regard.
Coun. Leslie Beck concurred, saying she saw no significant difference in pressure after her plate was replaced last year.
