USDA Waterline Project

Bowling Green’s municipal water system, serving a population of 1,111 (2010 census), consists of three groundwater wells, two elevated storage tanks (60,000 and 100,000 gallons), a 200,000-gallon ground storage tank, and a network of distribution mains. The system is aging, with many components—particularly water mains—being undersized, constructed from outdated materials, or having exceeded their useful life. These factors contribute to frequent leaks, service interruptions, reduced water quality, and inadequate fire protection.

In 2018, the Town sought a federal grant to address these aforementioned issues. As part of the grant, Webb & Associates created a preliminary engineering report (PER) to address these critical infrastructure issues.

The PER’s primary objectives are:
· To evaluate the replacement of failing manual-read water meters with modern radio-read meters. (Phase I of the Waterline completed in 2021)

· To assess the condition and capacity of existing water distribution infrastructure.

· To address a state-mandated requirement to adjust the intake levels of the town’s supply wells.

· To develop a digital as-built map of the water system for asset management.

Key Findings
· Metering Issues: Existing water meters are failing, leading to inaccurate billing and revenue loss. The town seeks to upgrade to radio-read meters to improve accuracy and operational efficiency.

· Aging and Undersized Infrastructure: Significant portions of the distribution system are undersized, leading to reduced water pressure, poor water quality, and limited fire protection. Old and inferior pipe materials have led to frequent breaks and leaks, resulting in increased operational costs and water loss.

· Regulatory Compliance: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality requires the town to modify the depths of its wells, necessitating physical alterations to well piping.

· Asset Management Needs: The lack of accurate as-built records hampers system maintenance and planning. PER includes the development of a digital mapping system to address this gap.