When Old Answers Do Not Work Anymore: A New Surge Approach to an Existing 100-mi Large Diameter Raw Water System

Oklahoma City (City) uses the Atoka pipeline system to transfer raw water from the Atoka Reservoir in southeast Oklahoma to the Stanley Draper Reservoir located in the southeast part of the City. This system was operational in 1964 and consists of six pumping stations and a 100-mi (161-km) long/60-in. (1,500-mm) diameter prestressed concrete pipeline. The existing surge protection system consists of a combination of one-way steel tanks (major surge facilities) and air vacuum valves (minor surge facilities) located along the pipeline alignment. A condition assessment of the existing major/minor surge control facilities for this pipeline was performed, and it was determined that most of the facilities need to be replaced. Surge modeling was performed, and matrix evaluation was developed to compare the conventional and bladder-type surge tank options based on several criteria. This paper will discuss the lessons learned from this project during design and construction.