1 definition by Un-Civil Engineer
When an industrial facility that consumes a copious volume of water suddenly stops drawing water from a water treatment plant via a pneumatic switch or quick-close valve. The instantaneous closing of the valve causes a backup of water pressure that breaks water treatment plant pumps and pipes.
The water treatment plant's pumps were destroyed when a chicken plant slammed their valve closed after a washdown of the facility causing a water hammer
by Un-Civil Engineer December 20, 2011