Water hammer protection in water supply system: A new approach with practical implementation

An unprotected water pipe mainly suffers frequent damages due to water hammer surges developed inside the pipe lines. This paper studied the effect of water hammer in a water delivery pipe theoretically and developed a novel method to combat the damage. The Public Health Engineering Directorate, Government of West Bengal, India has set up an arsenic area piped water supply scheme in the year 2003 in South 24 Pgs, West Bengal, where about 320Km length of water mains have been laid to supply arsenic free drinking water to the arsenic affected consumers. It was suffering from frequent ruptures of pipe joints and its weaker portions due to water hammer surges. From the result of theoretical studies a novel method has been developed and implemented in this water supply scheme to combat the situation. The project is consisting of a smart electronic pressure transmitter, PLC based SCADA system and valve automation. The method of measurement of surge pressure at the header end of the water mains and the method of bypassing some part of water from water mains back to the water storage are used in this technique. This method absorbs sudden surge developed due to water hammering inside the pipe and thus maintains surge free water supply at a desired pressure. The Zero Failure rates of the water mains are observed after the installation of this technique. One installation per two ground water storage connected with water mains of maximum length 32Km is suggested.