How will the flood outflow be affected by this new diversion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of a new diversion of flood water from a pump station into an outflow channel, particularly focusing on the effectiveness of this drainage system and concerns about potential backflow and contamination. Participants explore the hydraulic dynamics involved, the reasons for the cross-connection, and the implications for local water quality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a new connection diverting flood water from a pump station into an outflow channel, questioning how this will affect the outflow and whether it could cause backflow.
  • Another participant asks about the elevations and slopes in the system, seeking clarification on the rationale behind the cross-connection.
  • A participant provides details on the hydraulic head, noting that the flood water entering the horizontal drain pipe is at a higher elevation than the sump, and speculates that the cross-connection may be intended to conceal unpleasant discharge from the pump station.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for backflow, which could occur if pressure in the outflow pipe exceeds the hydraulic head from the road.
  • One participant mentions that the black water observed is partly from street drainage, raising questions about the sources of the discharge.
  • Another participant references an external link to clarify that there is no sewage going to the pump station, but emphasizes that testing is necessary to confirm this.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the new diversion and the potential for backflow. There is no consensus on the implications of the black water discharge, with differing views on its sources and whether it includes sewage.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the available information, such as missing details on pipe sizes, flow rates, and the overall system architecture, which complicate the assessment of the situation.

Point Conception
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TL;DR
Previously the flood waters entering the pump station and flood waters entering the sump had separate outflows
In diagram shown in red is a new connection diverting flood water from the pump station the receives flood waters from the other areas into an outflow channel from water from flooded road along beach. This drainage has not been effective and portable pumps have been in place at the sump. So how will this new diversion from the pump station connection into this system affect the out flow. Previously both out flows were separated. Could this impede the water from sump or even cause backflow? Photo of new connection
IMG_20210913_123552.jpg
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Do you know what the elevations/slopes are? Was a reason given for the cross-connection?
 
russ_watters said:
Do you know what the elevations/slopes are? Was a reason given for the cross-connection?
The only slope here is shown in the photo with the cross section . The drain pipe parallel and along the beach road is horizontal with no slope. As is the outflow from the sump. I believe the term is hydraulic head that denotes the different elevations in system: the flood water from beach Rd that enters the horizontal drain pipe through iron grates is about 2 meters. The junction at the sump where the water enters from the horizontal pipe is about 1 meter above sump floor. The only reason I can guess why this cross connection is being installed is to concele the very black water that forcefully gushes out from the pump station. It has been bad publicity for this tourist town with online photos etc. The very fact that you questioned this is telling since you are an engineer. By the way all the bridges, subways, and skytrains were designed by foreign engineering. And with the endless failed flood control projects here its obvious the Thais are not capable.
 
IMG_20210918_104557.jpg
IMG_20210918_104332.jpg
 
morrobay said:
The only slope here is shown in the photo with the cross section . The drain pipe parallel and along the beach road is horizontal with no slope. As is the outflow from the sump. I believe the term is hydraulic head that denotes the different elevations in system: the flood water from beach Rd that enters the horizontal drain pipe through iron grates is about 2 meters. The junction at the sump where the water enters from the horizontal pipe is about 1 meter above sump floor. The only reason I can guess why this cross connection is being installed is to concele the very black water that forcefully gushes out from the pump station. It has been bad publicity for this tourist town with online photos etc. The very fact that you questioned this is telling since you are an engineer. By the way all the bridges, subways, and skytrains were designed by foreign engineering. And with the endless failed flood control projects here its obvious the Thais are not capable.
It's really tough to answer your initial question or overall concern without real details of the system. Pipe sizes, flow rates, elevation changes. Back-flow is "possible", but would only occur if the pressure in the outflow pipe by the cross-connection exceeds the hydraulic head back up to the road. That's not something you can just eyeball, especially when you aren't even eyeballing the whole system.

More to the point, it sounds like people think the black water is/was sewage. That seems to be the real question, and it isn't answerable in this thread. The two pipes leading to the pumping station either are or aren't connected to sanitary waste lines. The answer just is. Of course an obvious way to find out if you think city planners are lying about the architecture of the system would be to take a sample of the outflow and have it tested.
 
Ok thanks , after two hours of rain the pump station discharge is successfully re directed out the outflow channel from the gravity flow from along the beach. That black water is in part from the street drainage.
Screenshot_2021-09-23-08-26-07-43.jpg
 
morrobay said:
That black water is in part from the street drainage.
So the street drainage AND from the pumping station drainage both have black discharge?
 
The pump station discharge is from all the street drains where that water enters the underground drain pipes in the city. That then is carried to the pump station. And according to link in post #4 there is no sewage going to pump station. However only testing can confirm this.
 
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