Automatic flushing system and method for a potable water station

A potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water and having an automatic flushing system, comprising:

• a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end having a nozzle coupling for connection to a transport vehicle for filling the transport vehicle with potable water;
• an air gap assembly having a coupling operable with the nozzle coupling on the second end of the conduit to releasably connect the conduit to the air gap assembly in a stored position when the potable water station is not being used to fill a transport vehicle with potable water;
• and
• a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature inside the potable water station;
• a timer for determining the time during which a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded and the time during which the potable water station has remained idle;
• and
• a control system operably coupled to the temperature sensor, the timer and the air gap assembly for automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and air gap assembly after the predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined period of time and the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time.

A method for automatically flushing a potable water station for use in filling a transport vehicle with potable water, comprising the steps of:

• providing the potable water station with a conduit having a first end connected to a potable water supply source and a second end remote therefrom having a nozzle coupling, the nozzle coupling operable to connect the conduit to a transport vehicle for filling the transport vehicle with potable water, the nozzle coupling also operable to connect the conduit to an air gap assembly in a stored position;
• coupling the second end of the conduit to the air gap assembly in the stored position of the potable water station;
• and
• automatically flushing potable water through the conduit and the air gap assembly of the potable water station after:
• a) a predetermined minimum threshold temperature has been exceeded for a predetermined time, and
• b) the potable water station has remained idle for a predetermined time.