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
• Portland’s 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
Harborton
Other Users

Other Users

Highway 30
Pump

3 miles
To Portland
 Reservoir
• Elevation at 264 ft
• Capacity: 200,000 gallons
• Height: 15 ft
• Diameter: 50 ft
10 ft
Water Level
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 Difference Expected Actual
(feet) from Pressure Pressure
Reservoir (psi) Range (psi)
12605 NW Creston 250 24 10 30 – 50*

12419 NW Creston 222 52 22 (-5) - 65

12515 NW Mtn View 180 94 40 (-5) - 95

Pump 64 210 --- ---

Reservoir Water Level 274 --- --- ---

 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 - Hydro-
pneumatic 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
Reservoir
Hydro. Tank

Harborton
Other Users
Check Valve

Pump

Direction of Flow
 Hydropneumatic Tank
Pump Off
Reservoir
Hydro. Tank

Harborton
Other Users
Check Valve

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

Valve
Pump

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
Reservoir

Pump 1 Harborton Other Users

Valve
Pump 2

Direction of Flow
 Additional Pump
Valve Closed
Pump 1 Off
Reservoir

Pump 1 Harborton Other Users

Valve
Pump 2

Direction of Flow
 Comparison of Alternatives
Alternative Pressure Cost Other
Standpipe 43-54 psi low Forest Park
Hydro Tank 28-55 psi high Large for
neighborhood
Continuous 55-73 psi low Wearing of
Pump pump
Additional 55-73 psi moderate Adds
Pump redundancy
 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