Neptune Beach to run hydrant flow tests and model upgrades after water tower returns to service

An unidentified speaker at a Neptune Beach meeting said the city will conduct additional hydrant flow tests once the city water tower is back online and the pumps and gravity system are both operating.

"Once the Neptune Beach water tower is back operational, we'll conduct additional flow tests at the hydrant," the unidentified speaker said, adding that the measured data will be input into the hydraulic model developed by JEA and Josh Brown, an engineer with JEA.

The speaker said engineers will use the model to run scenario tests examining options such as pipe replacement, looping, interties and other infrastructure improvements. The stated aim is to reach the flow and pressure levels required by the National Fire Code so properties would not be forced to rely on the tank and pump for life-safety flows.

The speaker told the meeting that the city expects to have test results and scenario recommendations ready by the next quarterly meeting.