Published: Jun 28, 2013 | 21:09 PM

IRWD’s Water Tapping Team Places First

Four members of IRWD’s Construction and Repair Department took first place at the Orange County Water Association’s annual Water Tapping Contest. Nine teams from various water agencies and city water departments competed in the contest, held at Irvine Lake on September 15.

This award demonstrates that IRWD crews performing maintenance or repair tasks in the field are highly trained and work efficiently, assuring minimal interruptions in water service, while saving customers money.

The timed competition involves three team members who tap into a pressurized water pipe using specialized tools. Copper pipe is then connected and run to a faucet. When all connections are made, the faucet is turned on, replicating connection from a water main to a domestic water meter. Speed and precision are important. The fourth team member serves as the coach, who not only advises, but cheers the group on. At the end of the drill, the raw time is given, then judges score the teams based on adherence to contest rules, use of safety equipment and if there are any leaks present.

Teams competed in two rounds each. Immediately, IRWD’S team, the Turbo Tappers, was the one to beat, finishing in two minutes and two seconds with no penalties to detract from their score. In the second heat, the Turbo Tappers finished in two minutes and eight seconds.

The team was composed of captain Colt Martin, coach David Perez, Matt Daniel and Carlos Collazo. They were honored by the IRWD Board of Directors at the September 27 Board meeting. Next, the team will compete in the regional competition, the American Water Works Association Cal-Nevada contest, held next spring in Long Beach.

This was the second year of competition for the Turbo Tappers. Last year the team placed a respectable fourth in a field of 11.

For more information about the work the IRWD crews do on a daily basis, please visit www.irwd.com.