How to control many water tanks lying at same level/roof ?

Water is often pumped up to multiple overhead water tanks located at the same level, typically on the same roof, creating an All-in-1 level water storage system. However, due to separate outlets supplying water to different sections of the building, each tank ends up with a different water level inside tank. This discrepancy in water levels poses a challenge that must be addressed in order to effectively monitor and control all water tanks using a single water level alarm or automation system. To better understand the variations in all-in-1 water storage systems, let's examine a scenario involving two tanks. It is important to note that while we are focusing on two tanks, the solution proposed is applicable to sites with more than two tanks.

Current Situation - A, involves the presence of two water tanks each equipped with an individual water delivery pipe connected to a shared water pump. The regulation of water flow to each tank is managed by manually operated gate valves situated immediately after the water pump. These gate valves, while effective, present a limitation in efficiently controlling both tanks with a single water level alarm and automation system. Therefore, the proposed solution should aim to render these gate valves obsolete, while also addressing the challenge of maintaining same water levels in the tanks.

Water Tanks With Gate Valve Controlled Inlet

Initial State - B consists of a series of water tanks connected by a common delivery pipeline from a shared pump. Each water tank is equipped with a ball cock (float ball) to regulate water overflow. It is important to be aware that utilizing ball cocks at all water tank inlets while operating the water pump can lead to significant issues, potentially damaging the pump. To avoid this, it is necessary to remove these float valves and adjust the water levels in the tanks accordingly to find a proper solution.

Water Tanks With Float Valve Controlled Inlet

The resolution to varying water levels in water tanks is straightforward. It involves connecting the water outlets of multiple tanks. When tanks are linked at the outlets, they function as a single unit ensuring that the water levels in all tanks remain equal at all times. Any discrepancies in water levels caused by inflow or outflow are corrected by the flow of water through the interconnected outlets. Effectively, multiple tanks operate as one consolidated water storage unit. Water sensor alarms or water level controls can be installed in any of the interconnected tanks for operational purposes.

Gate valves and ball cocks do not present significant challenges. Gate valves should remain open at all times without the need for operation. Ball cocks can be removed from all water tanks or specifically from the tank where water sensors are being installed. To ensure pump safety, it is important to ensure that at least one tank inlet does not have a ball cock attached to it.

Upon implementation of the aforementioned solutions, the initial states outlined above will be as follows:

Readiness State-A pertains to the Initial State-A. Once the outlets are connected as specified, the gate valves do not need to be manually operated and should remain in the open position.

Water Tanks Leveling By Joined Outlet

Readiness State-B corresponds to the Initial State-B. The ball cocks (float valves) have been removed since they will not be necessary upon the installation of a water level alarm or automation system.

Water Tanks Leveling By Joined Outlet

After the aforementioned adjustments have been made, the system is now prepared for automation. Water sensors are to be installed in any of the water tanks and linked to a water level alarm or automation panel.

Water Tanks Ready For Automation

The aforementioned system is commonly recommended for automating water pumps, however, it can also be effectively utilized by individuals seeking to employ a single water level alarm device for multiple water tanks.