TM

CLA-VAL UPDATE
8 Million Gallons, No Room For Error
■ 50,000 GPM ■ Positive Shutoff
■ No Surge ■ No Cavitation
PROBLEM:
One of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. is San Diego County, California. A
large portion of its fast growing suburban areas is served by a single water dis-
trict. This district is very near the end of the San Diego County Water Authority
Aqueduct, which brings water from the northern part of the state to the dryer
Southern California area. The district has virtually no ground water supplies, and
so depends heavily on the aqueduct source. To keep ahead of the population
growth and in the event of a major fire or earthquake, the district planned for a
new water storage facility to serve the new housing projects in the area.
The consulting engineer's analysis showed plans for a gravity-filled, eight mil-
lion gallon reservoir, a chlorination facility, and a future booster pump station on a
small site adjacent to the 69-inch aqueduct pipeline. This reservoir would provide
approximately a three day supply to the major developments under construction.
The aqueduct pipeline is pressurized by gravity flow at the proposed site. Due to
the limited pressure available and the district's desire to maximize water storage
on the small site, the hydraulic analysis was very important. The engineers deter-
mined that in the 200 foot distance from the aqueduct to the reservoir, eight feet
of head pressure was available for all pipe and valve losses. The selection of the
proper valve for reservoir high level shutoff was of critical importance. The valve
must have a minimum head loss, handle the large flows anticipated (from 15,600
GPM to 50,500 GPM), and operate without electricity.

ANALYSIS:
During the preliminary design phase, several control valve proposals were consid-
ered, including motor operated butterfly valves (required electricity) and other alti-
tude valves (too much head loss). The valve inlet pressure available varied
between 40 ft. and 102 ft. of head. Because of this variation, the engineers
determined that the altitude control valve would also be required to operate as a
pressure reducing valve for those times when the district prefers to bypass the
reservoir and go directly into the distribution network. A computer analysis of the
control valve's potential cavitation and cavitation damage occurrence was provided
by Cla-Val Co. factory representatives. This no-charge service told the consulting
engineers that the Cla-Val Co. valves would not sustain cavitation damage at the
flow rates anticipated.
U-7 Rev. 4-97
SOLUTION:
CLA-VAL UPDATE CONT'D

The design engineers selected two 24-inch Cla-Val Model 4210-7 Combination Altitude,
Pressure-Reducing and Check Valves installed in parallel. These two valves are the only altitude
valves that could handle the flow rates with minimum head loss, without cavitation damage, pro-
vide pressure reduction function when needed, and all without electricity.
These combination valves use Cla-Val's exclusive radial design main valve which provides four
separate operating chambers for each main valve. As the reservoir fills, the level change will
cause the eight individual altitude controls to operate separately. The eight main valve chambers
of the two valves, in turn, close independently. This provides a slow closing action that won't
surge the aqueduct. When it is necessary to bypass the reservoir, the water district personnel
can easily prepare for this change. By operating a few small manual valves in the pilot system
the two control valves become pressure reducing valves. When the reservoir isolating valves are
closed and the bypass is opened, direct use of the aqueduct water into the distribution network
is easily accomplished.
With the reservoir filled and the controls set, another successful Cla-Val installation helped a
growing water district meet the needs for future water demands.

36" Aqueduct
Connection Eight Altitude
Controls

Reservoir Level
Sensing Connection

36" Connection
to Reservoir

36" Reservoir
Bypass

CLA-VAL CLA-VAL CANADA LTD. CLA-VAL SA.

P.O. Box 1325
Newport Beach, CA 92659-0325
Phone: (714) 722-4800
TM
Fax: (714) 646-8981
4687 Christie Drive
Beamsville, Ontario
Canada LOR 1B4
Phone: (905) 563-4963
Fax: (905) 563-4040
Chemin des Mesanges 1
CH-1032 Romanel/Lausanne
Switzerland
Phone: 41-21-643-15-55
Fax: 41-21-643-15-50