Public Works Team to Compete in Tapping Competition

How fast can you tap a water main? If you're the "Tap-A-Holics" team competing in Springfield next week for the first time the answer needs to be around two minutes, if not quicker.

At the Illinois Section American Waterworks Association's Watercon 2012 Wednesday in Springfield, the four member team (plus one alternate) will compete against six other teams—including teams from Westmont, Elgin and Arlington Heights—for the right to move on to the national competition.

In the contest, the team will be required to drill a hole into the water main, thread in a corporation (shut off valve), flare two 6ft pieces of copper, assemble the copper, and ultimately connect it to the water main and meter yolk. The team will be penalized seconds for any leaks and other imperfections.

In addition to the water main tapping, DG Public Works employee Dave Yelton will compete in the "Meter Madness" challenge which tasks him with assembing a water meter as quickly as possible, with penalties coming if the meter doesn't work, leaks, or if he leaves parts out of his construction.

Check out the photo gallery of the team practicing Thursday afternoon at the Public Works facility, as they have almost daily for the past month in preparation.