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Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: What is this?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming WY #12296

       Pipe


Last summer, while trekking around Ames Monument and Vedauwoo, my curiosity was aroused by these pipes sticking out of the ground.  They emerged periodically across the prairie and though I'm sure they've always been there, it was only this time that I really noticed - and wondered - what they were. 

At certain intervals the pipes were accompanied by a sign like this - Signeven then, I really didn't believe there could be a water pipeline clear out there.  After all, where would it be going?

Imagine my surprise when I googled  "B.O.P.U." and  found not only was it, indeed, a water pipeline but also a major source of water to the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, 40 miles to the east.

(http://www.cheyennecity.org/MediaCenter.aspx?CID=Water-Department-1#player)

Though this explanation doesn't explain these odd
pipes, further research found that pipes, or vents, such as these could serve one of two purposes:

           a) ventilation system for water pipes
        b) inflow preventer for water pipes

More technical than I could have imagined! 

Here is a link that explains it better:     http://www.valmatic.com/pdfs/ProtectingDrinkingWaterPipelines.pdf

Or,the ultra-brief explanation:

An Inflow Preventer is a mechanical device mounted on the outlet of an air valve or vent pipe to allow normal flow of air in and out of the water system and prevent inflow of contaminated water into a water system as a result of flooding or malicious tampering  [Landon, Phillip, “An Introduction to Inflow Prevention,” Pumps & Systems, March, 2006].

So, take a look at the everyday things you drive by - perhaps there's a whole story behind them as well!

Posted by

Brenda Whitman, Broker/Co-owner                                                Office Phone: 307.460.3298

Live in Laramie Real Estate                                                                Cell Phone: 307.399.5477

302 S 2nd Street, Suite 206                                                      E-mail: brenda@liveinlaramie.com

Laramie, Wyoming  82070                                                       Office Website:  www.liveinlaramie.com

Comments (9)

Wayne Jackson
Lakeshore Realty 208-714-4109 - Hayden, ID
North Idaho Realtor, Serving Coeur dnullAlene and Hayden Lake

Hi Brenda, Thanks for the very interesting post. It's nice to occasionally get some education on something besides Real Estate.

Mar 07, 2012 01:19 PM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Plenty of big cities have long, large pipelines bringing them more water. Same as the huge overhead power lines.

Interesting posts, btw.

Mar 07, 2012 10:48 PM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Hi Wayne, It always just amazes me all the things in the world that I know nothing about ! :-)

Hi Than - I'll bet there are all kinds of industrial looking gadgets in unexpected places in the more populated places....

Mar 08, 2012 02:00 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Brenda - Thanks for the explanation. I've seen these as I've driven in the area and always wondered what they were.

Mar 08, 2012 03:42 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Barbara, I am with you wondering what these pipes could have been. I guess it makes sense that they are vent pipes for water lines but you have to wonder how far they go down and what the pipes look like that they are connected to.

Mar 08, 2012 10:27 AM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Hello, Dick - Makes me wonder where your water comes from - besides Horsetooth Reservoir.....

Hi William Jackson (LOL) - I guess on this particular pipeline some sections of it has pipes that are 30 inches in diameter - that's big!

Mar 08, 2012 11:58 PM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

I think they're ventilation pipes for the underground network where the government keeps the aliens. Seriously.

Mar 10, 2012 04:20 AM
Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Tim - Only people from Wyoming are supposed to know about that......

Mar 12, 2012 05:52 AM
Tim Bradley
Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY
Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

I've always wondered what purpose the old tire has around the sign post in your second picture. I mean, beside breeding mosquitos... Maybe it's to keep the bunny rabbits from bumping their heads on the 4x4 post? Is there a department in charge of putting old tires on sign posts? Who does that, anyway?

Mar 30, 2012 04:26 AM