#santiation

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Rio sanitation concessions face first wave of litigation

Private-sector firms managing services encounter setbacks as investments advance

Nearly four years after the first auction of water and sewage concessions in Rio de Janeiro, services are progressing, but the private-sector companies that took over the contracts are now facing a range of challenges. The first wave of regulatory disputes is underway, and companies may soon have to enter arbitration proceedings and possibly court battles to secure the returns they had anticipated, say people familiar with the situation.

Sources from the private sector, who spoke on condition of anonymity, report that after signing the contracts, companies encountered several discrepancies compared to what was outlined in the bidding documents: sewage coverage levels were lower than projected, water distribution networks had higher loss rates, and the number of households eligible for subsidized social tariffs was greater than expected. These factors imply increased investment needs and reduced revenue prospects. The issues vary across contracts but, according to Valor’s findings, they affect all concessions to some degree.

Regarding discussions with the regulatory agency, sources say there has been resistance to acknowledging the complaints or granting economic and financial rebalancing of the contracts—that is, compensations to the concession holders.

Rio de Janeiro’s water and sewage concessions were auctioned on April 30, 2021. Three of the four blocks were awarded: Blocks 1 and 4 went to Aegea, and Block 2 to Iguá. Block 3 initially received no bids, but after a redesign, it was reauctioned in December that same year and awarded to Águas do Brasil.

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[robbinscampersales-blog]

Repair and extend the life of your RV's freshwater sanitation system

     While the most common toilet type, the freshwater, requires little maintenance, you can prolong the life by taking certain precaution to care for the mechanisms.

     The freshwater is permanently mounted, flushing with clean water from the RV's on board tank. The flushing mechanism, either a foot-operated pedal or a standard hand lever, allows a valve in the bottom of the bowl to open and permitting the contents to be flushed into a holding tank. A pressurized water stream cleans the bowl in a swirling motion, flushing the contents into the holding tank. Most models have two levers, each working independently so that the bowl can be filled with water prior to use.

     Freshwater toilet bowls can be made of either plastic or porcelain, with simple, dependable components. A vacuum breaker (back-flow restricter) mounted at the rear of the toilet prevents water from backing up into the RV's fresh water system. To prevent odors from the holding tank, make sure all the contents are removed from the bowl before closing the slide ball, or flap valve.

     Do not use a sharp object, scouring pad, or other abrasives to clean the seal area and plastic parts since damage may occur. Do not use a highly concentrated or high acidic-content household cleaner. Instead use a nonabrasive cleaner and a soft rag or paper towel.

Troubleshooting:

Thetford Aqua-Magic IV Toilet

Problem: Water keeps running into bowl

Cause: Sticking levers Correction: Make sure levers return all the way to the left

Cause: Sticking slide valve Correction: Remove foreign material from blade or seat. Replace if cleaning does not work.

Problem: Toilet leaks on floor

Cause: Leaking water supply line Correction:  Tighten as necessary

Cause: Loose closet-flange nuts Correction:  Tighten as necessary

Cause: Wrong closet-flange height Correction:  Make sure flange height is between 1/4" and 7/16" inch.

Cause: Defective closet flange Correction:  Replace seal.

Problem: Poor flush

Cause: (1) Flush duration too short (2) Bad Water Flow 

Correction: (1) Hold levers open for at least 2 to 3 seconds (2) Adjust flow rate to 10 quarts per minute

Thetford Galaxy and Starlite Toilets

Problem: Water keeps running into bowl

Cause: Slide valve is not seated Correction: Clean all foreign materials in groove where valve blade seats when closed.

Problem: Leaks

Cause: Leaking water supply line Correction: Tighten as necessary 

Cause: Leaking vacuum breaker Correction: Replace the vacuum breaker. Replace the ball valve in vacuum breaker leaks without flushing. 

Cause: Defective bowl-to-mechanism seal Correction: Replace seal 

Cause: Defective closet flange to floor seal Correction: Tighten flange nutes. Remove the toilet and check the flange height. Adjust to 1/4"-7/16" above the floor. Replace flange seat. 

Problem: Harder than normal foot pedal or sticking blade

Cause: Mounting bolts too tight Correction: Check for overtight conditions and adjust

Cause: Restricted valve blade Correction: Apply light film of silicone spray to blade. CAUTION: Do not use hydrocarbon-based lubricants; damage to seals and other surfaces can occur.

SeaLand Traveler Toilet

Problem: Water will not stay in bowl

Cause: Loose clamp ring Correction: Tighten clam-ring adjusting nut

Cause: Improper flush ball seal Correction: Inspect flush ball and underside of Teflon seal and clean dirt or debris

Cause: Worn or damaged seals Correction: Replace both seals

Cause: Worn or damaged flush ball Correction: Replace flush ball

Cause: Cracked half-clamps Correction: Replace half clamps

Problem: Plastic flush ball will not close completely

Cause: Overtight clamp ring Correction: Loosen clamp ring

Cause: Weak or defective spring Correction: Let up on flush ring suddenly. If level does not snap back, replace the spring, cam, and plate with new spring cartridge.

Cause: Worn or damaged flush ball or shaft Correction: If lever snaps back, but flush ball will not close completely replace flush ball and shaft.

Problem: Toilet Overflows

Cause: Dirt in water valve seal Correction: Disassemble and clean water valve

Cause: Bent cam strap; hold water valve oepn Correction: Bend up front of cam strap by 1/16"

Cause: Worn or defective water valve Correction: Replace valve assembly

Cause: Worn or defective spring Correction: Replace spring, cam, and plate with new spring cartridge

Problem: Water does not enter bowl properly

Cause: Low water pressure Correction: Check and adjust water pressure

Cause: Clogged water valve Correction: Remove and clean filter screen on inlet of water valve

Cause: Defective water valve Correction: Replace water valve

Cause: Worn or defective flush lever Correction: Replace flush lever

Cause: Leaking vacuum breaker Correction: Replace vacuum breaker

Cause: Plugged wash holes in rim Correction: Clean holes

Problem: Water leaking from water valve

Cause: Loose connection Correction: Tuighten bottom cap, inlet fitting, and outlet hose clamp.

Cause: Worn or defective water valve Correction: Replace water valve.

Cause: Worn or missing seal Correction: Replace water valve

Cause: Cracked valve body Correction: Replace water valve

Problem: Water leaking from bottom of toilet base

Cause: Loose toilet Correction: Tighten toilet-mounting bolts

Cause: Worn or defective toilet-mounting floor seal Correction: Replace sponge-rubber seal between floor flange and toilet base

Cause: Worn or defective base Correction: Replace base assembly

Cause: Worn or defective floor flange Correction: Replace the floor flange

Problem: Water leaking from rear of toilet bowl

Cause: Loose hose connection Correction: Tighten hose connection

Cause: Loose vacuum breaker Correction: Tighten vacuum breaker breaker-to-bowl connection

Cause: Worn of defective vacuum breaker Correction: Replace vacuum breaker assembly

Cause: Cracked or defective toilet bowl Correction: Replace toilet bowl

[semprecomfome-blog]

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http://semprecomfome.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/69-percent-of-nyc-restaurants-received-letter-a-grades/