Eventually, water main protection within the grid is expected to go down in history as the simplest and most costly overlooked concept of all time.
Our industry fails to recognize that elevated tanks usually sit near the source of grid service, offering only localized cushioning against the surges of modulating pumps or valves. Consequently, turbulence occurring further out in the system often causes severe damage before it can ever be absorbed. These pressure waves travel at the speed of sound, navigating bends and numerous other structural obstructions before reaching a cushion.
The city of Chicago operates at 40 PSI without any elevated tanks and still suffers numerous main breaks. Meanwhile, neighboring East Chicago, Indiana, which also pumps through old, brittle cast-iron mains at a higher pressure of 65 PSI and 9 million gallons per day, is now protected and averages only about two breaks per year.
Howard Heil’s career, which involved overseeing ten certified pumping stations across four different utilities, provided extensive testing that proved his concept. Two of these utilities had no elevated tanks, and one utilized variable frequency drive pumps, demonstrating that grid-level surge protection is both functional and essential.
Current industry beliefs attribute main breakage to ground shifting and cold temperatures, which lead to more frequent winter failures. While water temperatures below 38°F do render cast-iron pipe nearly twice as brittle, proper shock absorption makes most of these breaks preventable. Countering the freezing-climate theory, Houston, Texas, a city without freezing weather, is known to experience more breaks per mile than anywhere else in the U.S., including Alaska.
Unlike companies that serve a broad range of unrelated industries, Heil2o Water Solutions focuses specifically on protecting water distribution systems from surge-related damage.
This specialized focus has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the challenges faced by:
Our products are designed with real-world municipal applications in mind, providing practical solutions that can be integrated into existing systems with minimal disruption.
Because we work exclusively within the water infrastructure sector, our customers benefit from decades of focused experience and proven technical knowledge.
Innovation has always been at the heart of Heil2o Water Solutions.
Over the years, our technology has evolved through:
Every generation of our surge suppression technology has been informed by real-world performance data and customer feedback. This commitment to ongoing improvement has helped establish Heil2o Water Solutions as a trusted name in water hammer mitigation.
Our goal has never been to create a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we have focused on developing practical, effective products that address the unique needs of municipal water distribution systems.
The foundation of Heil2o Water Solutions began in 1973 when our founder started studying the effects of water hammer and pressure surges in municipal water systems. At the time, many utilities understood the consequences of surge events but lacked practical, cost-effective solutions that could be deployed throughout existing infrastructure.
Recognizing the need for better protection, years were spent analyzing pressure fluctuations, studying system behavior, building prototypes, conducting field evaluations, and developing innovative surge suppression technology.
What started as a commitment to solving a critical infrastructure problem evolved into a specialized expertise that has benefited municipalities across the country.
In 1993, Heil2o became a family-owned company, continuing the founder’s commitment to innovation, customer service, and infrastructure protection. Today, the company remains family-owned and operated, carrying forward decades of experience while continually improving its technology to meet the evolving needs of modern water systems.
Municipal water infrastructure represents a substantial public investment. Water system operators need solutions they can trust to perform reliably under real-world conditions.
Customers choose Heil2o Water Solutions because of our:
More than four decades of specialized expertise in water hammer mitigation and surge suppression.
Personal service, responsive support, and a long-term commitment to customer success.
Focused experience within municipal water infrastructure and distribution systems.
Technology developed through years of engineering, testing, and practical application.
Products designed for efficient installation and effective performance within existing systems.
Supporting municipalities and utilities across the United States with plans for expanded Canadian availability.
Water hammer events can create significant challenges for water system operators. Sudden changes in flow conditions can generate pressure waves capable of damaging critical infrastructure and increasing maintenance costs.
Heil2o Water Solutions has spent decades refining surge suppression technology designed to help mitigate these damaging effects.
Our hydrant-mounted surge suppressors provide municipalities with a practical and effective method of reducing pressure surges within water distribution networks. By helping absorb and manage pressure fluctuations, these devices support the long-term health and reliability of infrastructure systems.
Today, our products are recognized as proven solutions for municipalities seeking to improve system performance and reduce the risks associated with water hammer events.
Innovation requires dedication, research, and a commitment to solving real-world problems.
Heil2o Water Solutions has developed multiple patented technologies related to water hammer mitigation and surge suppression. These patents represent decades of engineering expertise and demonstrate our commitment to advancing the field of municipal infrastructure protection.
Our patented designs help provide:
A dedicated patent showcase section will display all applicable Heil2o patents, patent numbers, and supporting documentation once final patent details are confirmed by the client.
This section serves as a testament to the company’s ongoing investment in innovation and technical leadership within the water surge suppression industry.
The company’s expertise in water hammer mitigation dates back to 1973, with Heil2o operating as a family-owned company since 1993.
Our exclusive focus on water surge suppression and municipal infrastructure protection has allowed us to develop specialized expertise and patented technology backed by decades of experience.
We primarily serve cities, counties, water authorities, utilities, public works departments, and engineering firms.
Yes. Heil2O Solutions develops and supplies proprietary surge suppression technology specifically designed for municipal water systems.
Yes. We proudly support customers throughout the United States and are preparing for expanded service capabilities in Canada.
Partner with a company that has spent more than four decades helping municipalities protect their water infrastructure.
Contact Heil2o Water Solutions today to learn more about our surge suppression technology, patented innovations, and commitment to protecting water distribution systems across North America.
