Authors:

Marcelo Marcos

Date Created:

Not specified

Course Title:

Professor:

Not specified

About Paper:

Wildfires are increasingly causing drinking water to become chemically unsafe in water distribution systems, and efforts are needed to better understand and mitigate this risk. In 2020, after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, a finished water storage tank in Boulder Creek, California became chemically contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Follow-up investigations found that VOCs had sorbed into the plastic interior tank lining, likely originating from smoke during tank depressurization. When the tank was refilled with safe drinking water, VOCs leached from the lining and made the water unsafe downstream. The study's purpose was to better understand storage tank design, operation, and response to catastrophic hydraulic events ultimately to inform a vent filter's design. The desired vent filter was to be installed on tank vents to help prevent drinking water contamination. A literature review about wildfire damage to water distribution systems was also conducted. Insights from experts in hydraulic design and operation of water distribution systems in Indiana, Colorado, New York, and tank inspection and maintenance were obtained. Evidence shows that little information has been publicly reported about finished water storage tank hydraulic conditions from wildfire incidents. Tank types, sizes, designs, and factors that influence catastrophic tank flowrates and drainage time were evaluated. Flowrates and draining duration were considered for tank types, sizes, the number of destroyed homes, fire truck pump rates, and field experiences from utilities that experienced wildfires. Air flowrates through tank vents were also estimated. Study results provide a basis for vent filter design and future research. Keywords: [no keywords provided]

Source:

Purdue University / 2024

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Marcelo Marcos