Analysis and Design to Correct Low Pressure in a Water Distribution System

SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT

by Dan Bauer, Dan Kranenburg, and Rebecca MacIsaac - Seniors in Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Challenge
Portlands Bureau of Water Supply provides water to Burlington, just northwest of the city. A few residences in the higher elevations of Burlington have experienced very low water pressures, prompting the Bureau to ask the students to investigate possible solutions.

Burlington

U.P.

Problem Definition
Low water pressures:
Are an inconvenience Violate Oregon State standards Are a potential health risk

Investigate:
Reasons for low pressures Potential Solutions

Recommend a solution

The Setting
The Burlington water supply system consists of a pipeline which parallels Route 30 Several areas are supplied from the main pipeline, many of which are at a much higher elevation The Harborton area is one of these areas - it has experienced low-pressure problems

Water Supply Schematic

Burlington Water District (Plan View)
Reservoir Other Users Other Users Pump Highway 30

Harborton

3 miles
To Portland

Reservoir
Elevation at 264 ft Capacity: 200,000 gallons Height: 15 ft Diameter: 50 ft
Water Level 10 ft 7 ft

Pump
Johnston 4-inch submersible pump Designed to engage when reservoir level drops 3 ft
Field data show a 1-inch drop

Elevation at 64 ft Delivers 260 gpm to system

Elevation and Pressure

Location Elevation (feet) 250 222 180 64 274 12605 NW Creston 12419 NW Creston 12515 NW Mtn View Pump Reservoir Water Level Difference from Reservoir 24 52 94 210 --Expected Pressure (psi) 10 22 40 ----Actual Pressure Range (psi) 30 50* (-5) - 65 (-5) - 95 -----

Purpose and Scope

PURPOSE
Analyze Burlington Water System Evaluate possible design solutions

METHODS
Computer modeling Cost comparison

GOAL
Recommend final solution to correct low pressure

Design Guidelines
Service at minimal pressure of 20 psi
State requirement

Provide 40 psi if possible

City of Portland Bureau of Water Works standard

Zoning restrictions
Forest Park

Financial feasibility

Field Investigation
The water surface elevation in the reservoir was monitored Fluctuations in the tank were observed to be only inches, when they should have been feet

Computer Analysis
Data on the physical characteristics of the system were determined The data were used with a model of the water distribution system The model was used to analyze flow and pressures under four different alternative solutions

Alternative Solutions
Neighborhood Standpipe Hydropneumatic Tank Continuously Operating Pump with Valve Additional Pump with Valve

Alternative I - Standpipe
When pump is on, water fills standpipe When pump is off, a check valve stops the flow of water back to the lower elevations

Standpipe
Pump On
Standpipe

Reservoir Harborton Other Users Check Valve

Pump Direction of Flow

Standpipe
Pump Off
Standpipe

Reservoir Harborton Other Users Check Valve

Pump Direction of Flow

Alternative II - Hydropneumatic Tank

When pump is on, water fills hydropheumatic tank When pump is off, a check valve stops the flow of water back to the lower elevations

Hydropneumatic Tank
Pump On
Hydro. Tank

Reservoir Harborton Check Valve

Other Users

Pump

Direction of Flow

Hydropneumatic Tank
Pump Off
Hydro. Tank

Reservoir Harborton Check Valve

Other Users

Pump

Direction of Flow

Alternative III - Continuously Operating Pump

When pump is on, the valve is open and both the Harborton area and reservoir are filling When the reservoir is full, the valve closes and pump continues to supply water and provide pressure to Harborton area

Continuously Operating Pump

Valve Open
Reservoir

Harborton

Other Users

Pump

Valve

Direction of Flow

Continuously Operating Pump

Valve Closed
Reservoir

Harborton

Other Users

Pump

Valve

Direction of Flow

Alternative IV - Additional Pump

Two pumps provide water to the Harborton area and the reservoir When the reservoir fills, the valve closes and only one pump operates to supply the Harborton area

Additional Pump
Valve Open Both Pumps On
Pump 1 Harborton
Other Users Reservoir

Valve

Pump 2 Direction of Flow

Additional Pump
Valve Closed Pump 1 Off
Pump 1 Harborton
Other Users Reservoir

Pump 2

Valve

Direction of Flow

Comparison of Alternatives
Alternative Standpipe Pressure 43-54 psi Cost low high low Other Forest Park Large for neighborhood Wearing of pump Adds redundancy

Hydro Tank 28-55 psi Continuous Pump Additional Pump 55-73 psi

55-73 psi moderate

Final Recommendation
Additional Pump
Provides adequate pressure Low maintenance Moderate cost Adds redundancy

Thanks to...
Dr. Mark Kennedy
Faculty Advisor, University of Portland

Jim Doane and Marie Del Toro

Portland Bureau of Water Works

Julie Morrow
Burlington Water District

Larry Rayborn
Rayborn Plumbing