FAQ’s

Air can enter your water line through municipal line repairs, pump operations, temperature shifts, or micro-leaks in the system. Since municipal water meters read total volume—including both water and air—you end up paying for both. So, how does the FCD correct this condition so I am not payiing for air and water? The FCD creates a compression zone that that creates a laminar flow condition in the water flow befor the meter causing the air to dissapate back into the water prior to it reaching the meter, ensuring your bill reflects only actual water usage. This directly translates into measurable cost savings.

Water enters pipelines under pressure from municipal pumps, water towers, or gravity-fed reservoirs. As water moves through the distribution system—especially over long distances and through varying elevations—air naturally becomes entrapped within the flow. Scientifically, anytime water travels inside a pipe for more than 30 feet (10 meters), it transitions into turbulent flow. The more turbulent the flow, the more likely it is that air will become mixed into the line.

Air can also enter through micro-leaks, pump cavitation, temperature changes, and vacuum formation during service disruptions or maintenance.

Water meters cannot distinguish between liquid water and air—they measure total volume passing through. Turbulent water gives you false increased volumetric reading. That means you’re paying for both water and air. The FCD does not remove air, instead, it displaces the air further into the main so it never reached the water meter. This reduces the total volume that the meter registers, ensuring that only a homogeneous cross-section of water is metered and billed—resulting in measurable, recurring savings.

No special permits or permission should be necessary. The FCD is installed on the property side of the water meter, which is private property and not regulated by the municipality. Installation must be done in conjunction with all applicable laws, codes and standard plumbing practice in your area.

FCDs are available in both imperial and metric sizes ranging from 1/2” to 16” standard. We also manufacture custom FCDs up to 36” in diameter for large industrial or municipal applications.

Simple installations can take as little as 1 hour of water shut-off time; Obviously industrial applications will take more time. The FCD is designed to be installed in an existing pipe connection on the consumer side of the water meter. Therefore, we recommend scheduling installation during non-business hours—either before your facility opens or after it closes—to avoid disruptions to your daily operations. A comprehensive site survey after purchase is required to help reduce installation costs and improve efficiency.

While self-installation is possible for experienced technicians, we strongly recommend using a licensed plumber or mechanical contractor to ensure optimal performance. Water Flow Innovations also maintains a trusted network of certified installation partners who are familiar with our technology.

In most cases, there is no pressure drop. However, in high-volume open-discharge conditions it can reduce water pressure 3 to 5 psi. This is beneficial, as many properties receive over-pressurized water from the city, which causes waste. Lower, stabilized pressure typically goes unnoticed by guests or tenants but helps conserve water. For pressure-critical environments, Water Flow Innovations offers custom-engineered models that help maintain or even boost PSI if needed.

You’ll see proof on your monthly water bills and your water usage reports. Most customers notice a clear drop in both volume and cost within the first billing cycle. For clients using smart water sensors or monitoring tools, the data confirms consistent improvement.

All FCDs are proudly manufactured in the United States using precision-engineered materials. Our corporate headquarters is located in the State of Pennsylvania.

Absolutely. Every FCD we provide is backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, protecting against defects and corrosion. This reflects the quality of our product and our confidence in its long-term performance. See Warranty at AquaFlow (FCD) Warranty

Yes. We stand behind our product with a full 6-month money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied within the first six months after receipt of the FCD, simply return the FCD for a full refund—no questions asked.

Seriously, stop throwing money away. Contact us for a free no-obligation review.

Not exactly. The FCD doesn’t remove air—it displaces it back out into the system by creating static pressure through and behind meter. This static pressure zone keeps the air from reaching your meter. The water column clean of air now passes through the water meter registering an accurate measurement of true water consumption, not a blend of air and water.

The FCDs are constructed using 316 medical-grade stainless steel. This premium-grade steel is known for its superior resistance to corrosion, extreme temperatures, and high-pressure environments. Its high purity and durability make it ideal for long-term use in both residential and commercial water systems.

Also, we can make the FCD out of titanium or special alloys based on special applications and needs.

Determining your FCD size depends on your water meter and configuration. We have expert teams that can conduct your Site Survey and installation. If you want to use your mechanical contractor, we can provide the criteria for the Site Survey. We encourage the use of our team for a turn-key installation.

No maintenance is required. Once installed, the FCD operates silently and automatically. There are serviceable parts or filters to clean. Simply install it—and start saving.

Yes. The AquaFlow Valve (Flow Conditioning Device [FCD] is backed by multiple industry-recognized certifications that validate its performance, safety, and quality:

• ANSI (American National Standards Institute): Ensures the Valve (FCD) complies with national consensus standards for product safety and performance.
• NSF (National Sanitation Foundation): Certifies that the Valve (FCD) is safe for use in potable water systems and meets health and safety standards.
• KIWA: A European certification that confirms the Valve (FCD) meets the stringent testing requirements for water performance and durability.
• IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials): Provides third-party validation of plumbing product performance under U.S. and international building codes.
• CAN 61: A Canadian standard that confirms the Valve (FCD) is safe for contact with drinking water and meets rigorous health-based requirements.
• GMP Good Manufacturing Practice is a system of regulations and guidelines that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
• SQF: Safe Quality Food is a globally recognized food safety and quality management certification system that ensures food products are produced, processed, and handled according to strict safety and quality standards.

Most Water Flow Innovations customers recover their full investment within the first year—some in as little as one month. The exact payback period depends on two main factors: the size of the FCD installed and the amount of your monthly water and sewer bills. Properties with higher water usage or larger meters typically see the fastest return on investment, especially when savings reach 20–30%. Once the FCD is paid off, all future savings go straight to your bottom line.

There have been many versions of the FCD. The FCD has evolved through years of innovation, field testing, and continuous improvement.

Savings begin immediately once the FCD is installed, but utility bills often lag behind real usage. Most municipalities bill on estimated or averaged reads, then true-up later. Because of this, savings typically become clearly visible after 1–3 full billing cycles, depending on how the utility reads and reconciles usage.

This is very common and not a concern. Water and sewer billing does not work in real time, and the bill you receive often does not fully reflect what actually happened during the most recent month.

Most utilities bill using a combination of the following:

* Estimated usage – Many municipalities only physically read the meter every 2–3 months. In between, they estimate usage based on historical averages. Even if your actual usage drops immediately after installation, the bill may still reflect an estimate tied to past consumption.

* Partial pre-installation days – Your first post-installation bill often includes days before the FCD was installed. That means part of the billing period still reflects old usage patterns, which dilutes the visible savings on that statement.

* Averaging from prior months – Some utilities smooth bills by averaging multiple prior periods, especially for commercial accounts. This causes savings to “phase in” over time rather than appear all at once.

In other words, the FCD starts working immediately, but the billing system lags behind reality.

• 3–6 months of bills before installation (baseline)
• 2–3 full bills after installation

• Gallons used (not just dollar totals)
• Cost per gallon
• Cost per unit of operation (per car, per room, per tenant, etc., where applicable)