Surge Control Strategies for the Sacramento Lower Northwest Interceptor

This paper presents the results of a pressure surge analysis for a 30 km (19 mile) long sewage pipeline in Sacramento, California. Several surge control strategies (e.g., spring-loaded sewage vacuum relief valves, pressurized surge tanks, flywheels, and open surge towers) were developed to eliminate the possibility of vapor pressure conditions within the sewage pipeline following a loss of power to the pump stations. Each surge control strategy was compared on the basis of constructability and cost. The installation of spring-loaded sewage vacuum relief valves on the pipeline were selected as the preferred surge control strategy. In addition to their ease of installation, sewage vacuum relief valves saved approximately $22 million when compared to the costs associated with installing and operating pressurized surge tanks at the pump stations, which was the second most preferred surge control strategy for the sewage pipeline.