Backflow

Application

This anomaly type is applicable to wastewater pumping stations for which pump running status and water level are available.

Description

Users are notified of this anomaly if these conditions are fulfilled:

• The water level increases significantly right after a pump stops.
• When the pump stops, the water level increases significantly faster than when the pump starts.

Possible cause

An issue with the non-return valve of the pump

Related charts for evaluation

For instructions on where to find the related charts for examination, see "Where do I find the anomaly charts for examination?" under Event FAQs > Anomalies.

Description of the chart The first day the anomaly was detected

The chart shows the following data:

• The running status of each pump in the station
• The water level, if available

The time period of the chart is the day when the anomaly started, with the maximum resolution.

The chart allows the user to evaluate the issue that caused the anomaly.

Description of the chart The current state of the station

The chart shows when the anomaly is active. The chart shows the following data:

• The running status of each pump in the station
• The water level, if available

The time period of the chart is the past day, with the maximum resolution.

The chart allows the user to evaluate the current state of the station.

Description of the chart Pump utilization

The chart shows the daily utilization of each pump in the station. The time period in the chart is multiple days. The chart allows the user to evaluate the following items:

• The pump utilization during the time period
• For multi-pump stations, differences in utilization between the pumps during the time period

Evaluation of charts, example 1

In this example, the station is a wastewater pumping station with two pumps that are set to alternate regularly.

The chart The first day the anomaly was detected shows that, from around 11 am on January 10, the water level increases quickly right after the pumps stop. In less than one minute, the level increases to half of the level range between the start level and the stop level. The level then increases gradually until it reaches the start level.

This trend of water level indicates that there is no increased inflow that causes the fast increment in water level when the pumps stop. Instead, there may be an issue with a non-return valve.

The chart The current state of the station shows that the anomaly is still ongoing in the moment in which the user looks at the charts.

The chart Pump utilization shows that, since January 10, the utilization of pump 1 has increased significantly and is much higher than the utilization of pump 2. This trend confirms that there may be an issue with a non-return valve.

Evaluation of charts, example 2

In this example, the station is a wastewater pumping station with two pumps that are set to alternate regularly.

The chart The first day the anomaly was detected shows that, until 12 AM on June 30, the water level increases linearly between the stop level and the start level.

At around 12 AM, the run time of pump 1 increases significantly.

After around 7 PM, the water level increases quickly when the pumps stop. In a few minutes, the level reaches 3/4 of the total level range. The level then increases gradually until it reaches the start level.

This trend of water level indicates that there is no increased inflow that causes the fast increment in water level when the pumps stop. Instead, there may be an issue with a non-return valve.

The chart The current state of the station shows that the anomaly is still ongoing in the moment in which the user looks at the charts.

The chart Pump utilization shows that, since June 29, the utilization of pump 1 has increased significantly and is much higher than the utilization of pump 2. This trend confirms that there may be an issue with a non-return valve.

Disable the anomaly type

If the behavior that is identified as an anomaly is normal for a station, the anomaly type should be disabled. For more information, see "How do I enable or disable an anomaly type?" under Event FAQs > Anomalies.