Water Hammer design technology: A new frontier in water infrastructure design—Amoh Tontoh

A Senior Water and Wastewater Engineer at Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),  Amoh Tontoh has explained that surge protection design mechanism, a special engineering method use to control sudden pressure changes in water system,  is being applied to designs of critical infrastructure projects, including Water treatment plants, Pipeline networks and sanitary sewer system.

Ghana’s water infrastructure faces significant challenges, from ageing treatment plants to inefficient distribution systems.

To tackle these issues sustainably, engineers and policymakers are turning to innovative methodologies like the Surge protection and Water Hammer mitigation design technology, a critical engineering process used to predict, evaluate, and mitigate pressure surges (water hammer) in pressurized pipeline systems, including force mains, water distribution networks, and pump stations.

Enhancing water infrastructures;

In an in-depth interview, on August 3rd 2021, Amoh Tontoh stated that, “a well-designed hydraulic modeling and surge protection system is absolutely critical for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of water infrastructure.

Explaining further he added, “hydraulic modeling and surge protection design accurately predicts flow behavior under varying conditions like peak demand and emergency scenarios, preventing catastrophic failures that could lead to burst pipes, pump damage, and service disruptions.  that  Ghana’s water infrastructure faces significant challenges, from ageing treatment plants to inefficient distribution systems”.

According to him, Surge protection mechanisms including surge tanks, air/vacuum valves, and VFD-controlled pumps work together to mitigate dangerous pressure spikes caused by water hammer effects anticipated by the Engineer of Record.

These engineering technology  safeguards protect public health by eliminating contamination risks from leaks, sewage overflows, and groundwater infiltration while significantly extending infrastructure lifespan by reducing cumulative wear and tear from pressure fluctuations that would otherwise require premature replacements.

Mr. Tontoh’s insights revealed how hydraulic modelling and surge protection mechanism moves beyond traditional engineering approaches, fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water solutions for Ghana’s future.

Cost effective solutions;

Mr. Tontoh’s design work focuses on modelling and designing a cost-effective surge protection system to optimize the performance of wastewater treatment system, pipeline and sanitary system as he designed on the Suame Forcemain project ensuring effective conveyance of wastewater through the Forcemain saving the district millions of Ghana cedis.

Mr. Tontoh stated that, “Investing in effective and well-engineered modeling and surge technologies avoids exponentially higher costs from emergency repairs, service interruptions, and collateral damage from pipe failures. A single avoided major rupture can justify years of preventive maintenance budgets.”

He added that the design technology eliminates unnecessary capital expenditure on excessively robust materials ensuring that systems can achieve full design lifespans (50+ years), avoiding premature replacement costs.

Practical application/Recommendation;

Conversely, he explained how this design technology have been replicated from the Suame Forcemain Project showcasing his extent of work on this project and how advanced modeling and surge control can rehabilitate failing systems into robust infrastructure.

“For example, it can be used to ensure compliance with water quality and overflow prevention regulations prevents costly fines. Surge-related contamination events can trigger millions in EPA penalties that proper design avoids”, he explained.

Promising solutions:

Mr. Tontoh’s work, and expertise highlights how hydraulic modelling and water hammer technology can be used in addressing water infrastructure concerns. As Ghana continues to grapple with water infrastructure challenges, this technology offers a promising solution that could make a significant impact in national water infrastructure resilience to serve the people of Ghana.

 

Author: Yaw Ampofo Junior