Chapter II

Water Distribution System

By: Wubit S. (M.Sc.)

 Contents
❖ Systems of distribution in building
❖ Water Supply Equipment’s
❖ Water pipe sizing in building
❖ Water Pipe fittings and fire hydrant systems
❖ Hot Water Distribution System
❖ Plumbing Fixtures
 Introduction
❖ After treatment water is to be stored temporarily and
supplied to the consumers through the network of
pipelines called distribution system
❖ The purpose of distribution system is to deliver water to
consumer with appropriate quality, quantity and pressure.
❖ Distribution system is used to describe collectively the
facilities used to supply water from its source to the
point of usage.
 Requirements of Good Distribution
System

❖ The system should convey the treated water up to

consumers with the same degree of purity.

❖ It should be capable of supplying the requisite amount

of water during fire fighting.

❖ The system should be economical and easy to

maintain and operate.
❖It should safe against any future
pollution. As per as possible should
not be laid below sewer lines.
❖ Water should be supplied without
interruption even when repairs are
undertaken.
❖The system should be so designed that the
supply should meet maximum hourly demand..
 Layouts of Distribution Network

❖The distribution pipes are generally laid below

the road pavements, and as such their layouts
generally follow the layouts of roads.

❖There are four different types of pipe networks;

any one of which either singly or in combinations,
can be used for a particular place.
They are:

❖ Dead End System

❖ Radial System

❖ Grid Iron System

❖ Ring System
 Dead End System
❖It is suitable for old towns and cities having no
definite pattern of roads.
Advantages
❖ Relatively cheap.
❖Determination of discharges and pressure
easier due to less number of valves.

Disadvantages
❖Due to many dead ends, stagnation of water
occurs in pipes.
Radial System
❖ The area is divided into different zones.

❖The water is pumped into the distribution

reservoir kept in the middle of each zone.

❖The supply pipes are laid radially ending

towards the periphery.
Advantages
❖ It gives quick service.
❖ Calculation of pipe sizes is easy.
Grid Iron System
❖It is suitable for cities with rectangular layout,
where the water mains and branches are laid in
rectangles.
Advantages
❖Water is kept in good circulation due to the
absence of dead ends.
❖In the cases of a breakdown in some section,
water is available from some other direction.

Disadvantages
❖Exact calculation of sizes of pipes is not
possible due to provision of valves on all
branches.
 Ring System...
❖The supply main is laid all along the peripheral roads and
sub mains branch out from the mains.

❖ This system also follows the grid iron system with the
flow pattern similar in character to that of dead end
system.

❖So, determination of the size of pipes is easy.

 Advantages
❖Water can be supplied to any point from at least
two directions.
 Methods of water distribution
❖ For efficient distribution system adequate water
pressure required at various points.
❖ Depending upon the level of source, topography of the
area and other local conditions the water may be
forced into distribution system by following ways –
1) Gravity system
2) Pumping system
3) Combined gravity and pumping system
Gravity system
❖Suitable when source of supply is at sufficient
height.
❖Most reliable and economical distribution
system.
❖The water head available at the consumer is just
minimum required.
❖The remaining head is consumed in the
frictional and other losses.
Pumping system
❖Treated water is directly pumped in to the
distribution main with out storing.
❖ Also called pumping without storage system.
❖ High lifts pumps are required.
❖If power supply fails, complete stoppage of water
supply.
❖ This method is not generally used.
 Combined gravity and pumping system

❖ Most common system.

❖Treated water is pumped and stored in an
elevated distribution reservoir.
❖ Then supplies to consumer by action of gravity.
❖The excess water during low demand periods
get stored in reservoir and get supplied during
high demand period.
❖ Economical, efficient and reliable system.
 Distribution Reservoirs
❑ Distribution reservoirs, also called service reservoirs, are
the storage reservoirs, which store the treated water for
supplying water during emergencies (such as during fires,
repairs, etc.) and also to help in absorbing the hourly
fluctuations in the normal water demand.
Functions of Distribution Reservoirs
❖ to absorb the hourly variations in demand.
❖ to maintain constant pressure in the distribution
mains.
❖ water stored can be supplied during emergencies.
Location and Height of Distribution Reservoirs
❖ should be located as close as possible to the centre of
demand.
❖ water level in the reservoir must be at a sufficient
elevation to permit gravity flow at an adequate
pressure.
Types of Reservoirs
❑ Depending upon their elevation it may be classified into:
1) Surface reservoirs
2) Elevated reservoirs
 Surface reservoirs
❖ These also called ground reservoir.

❖ Mostly circular or rectangular tank.

❖ Under ground reservoirs are preferred especially

when the size is large.

❖ These reservoirs are constructed on high natural

grounds and are usually made of stones, bricks, plain or
reinforced cement concrete.
Under Ground Reservoir
 TYPES OF TANKS
❑ C.TANKS: R.C.C tanks are very popular because
1) They have long life
2) Easy to maintenances
❑ G.I. TANKS: G.I. tanks are generally in rectangular or
square in shape. Now a days G.I. tanks are not preferring
because
1) Life of the tank is short
2) Corrosion of metal
3) Maintenance cost may be more
❑ HDPE TANKS: Now a days HDPE tanks are very
popular for storing less quantity of water and hence
useful for residential purpose.
❑ The following are the advantages of HDPE tanks
1) Handling is easy because of light weight
2) Cheap in cost
3) Maintenance cost is low
4) Cleaning of tanks are easy
 Elevated storage reservoirs
❖Elevated Storage Reservoirs (ESRs) also
referred to as Overhead Tanks are required at
distribution areas which are not governed and
controlled by the gravity system of distribution.
❖These are rectangular, circular or elliptical in
shape.
❖If the topography of the town not suitable for
under gravity, the elevated tank or reservoir are
used.
❖They are constructed where combine gravity and
pumping system of water distribution is adopted.
❖These tanks may be steel or RCC.
❖Now RCC is commonly preferred.
The accessories of ESR are-

❖ Inlet and outlet pipe, overflow pipe discharging into a

drain

❖ Float gauge, indicating depth of water.

❖ Automatic device to stop pumping when the tank is

full.

❖ A manhole and ladder.

❖ Ventilator for circulation of fresh air.

 Water Supply Equipment’s
Pipelines and appurtenances
❖ Pipes could be of different types that include: cast iron pipe, ductile
cast iron pipe, steel pipe, plastic pipe and concrete pipe.
❖ The selection of pipe materials is based on such criteria as: carrying
capacity, strength, ease of transportation and handling, availability,
quality of water, and cost (initial and maintenance)
❖ Cast iron pipe: are highly resistant to corrosion, strong but brittle,
usually offer a long life, and reasonably maintenance free.
❖ Cement-lined cast iron pipes: When the water contains corrosive
elements, the cast iron pipes are lined with cement to protect them
against corrosion.
 Water Supply Equipment’s

Cast iron pipe Cement-lined cast iron pipe

 Cont’d…
❖ Steel pipe: It is occasionally used for main lines and at such places
where pressures are high and pipe diameter is large.

❖ Steel pipes are strong, have very light weight and can withstand higher
pressure than cast iron pipes.

❖ They are cheap, easy to construct and can be easily transported than
cast iron pipes
 Cont’d…
❖ Plastic pipes: Nowadays plastic pipes are becoming more and more
because of their corrosion resistance property, light weight and
economy.

❖ Rigid (unplasticized) uPVC/HDPE pipes are widely used for water

services, internal/external water supply systems and water mains.
Pipe materials Advantages & Disadvantages
Cont’d…
Appurtenances: Water pipe fittings and fire hydrant systems

Fittings

❖ Fittings are applied in situations that require a change in pipe

diameter and/or material, pipeline direction, or when valves, water
meters or hydrants have to be installed.

❖ The proper selection and installation of fittings is very important

because they are, as with joints, very often a source of leakage.
Appurtenances: Water pipe fittings and fire hydrant systems

Fittings
Valves
 Fire hydrants
❑ Fire hydrants are generally distinguished as underground or ground
installations

❑ The underground installations are better protected from frost and

traffic damage, but on the other hand they can be inaccessible when
needed, for instance if they are covered by a parked vehicle
 Water supply Network Construction

Network construction comprises the following steps:

 Building water supply installation
❑ Plumbing is a general term which indicates the practice, materials &
fixtures used in the Installation/maintenance of all piping's, fixtures,
appliances and other appurtenances used in connection with both
public/private water supply systems as well as sanitary or drainage systems
within or adjacent to any building/any point of public disposal.
 Houses water supply Equipment’s/connection consists of:-
I. Ferrule: Is a right angled sleeve made of brass or gun metal, and is
joined to a hole drilled in the water main(its size usually varies b/n 10
to 50mm)

II. Goose neck: is a small sized curved pipe made of a flexible

material(usually lead) and is about 75cm in length forming a flexible
connection b/n the water main & the service pipe

III. Service pipe: is Galvanized Iron(GI) pipe of size less than 50mm,
which supplies water to building through the municipal main

IV. Stop cocks: is a screw down type of sluice valve, used for stopping or
opening the supply

V. Water meter: it measures and records the quantity of water

consumed in the house
 Storage of Water in Building
❑ Domestic water storage in building can be: (underground tank and Roof
tank)
Storage of Water in Building
 Water piping systems in building
I. Direct supply

❑ In this system, water is supplied to all the fixtures at all floor levels of
a building directly from the city main through the house connection

❑ Water is supplied to all parts of the building directly from the city
mains through a service connection

❑ The system is successful only when the water supply is available in

adequate quantity and pressure
Water piping systems in building
 Water piping systems in building
II. Down feed system

❑ Used in cities where the pressure is sufficient for water to reach

up to 4 to 5 floors or higher, but only for limited time

❑ To meet the water requirement during non supply hours, water is

stored in overhead tanks placed on the top which are filled by a
direct connection from the mains
..Cont.
 Cont’d…
iii. Pumping using underground
to overhead tank supply :

❑ If the supply is intermittent and

residual pressure is low then a
ground level storage tank and a
over head storage tank are built to
supply water.

❑ Water from the over head tank is

drawn by down take pipes and
then into the distribution pipes fro
fixtures
 Cont’d…
IV. Pumped System: When the residual pressure at the ferrule is less
than 7m and continuous supply is available in the mains, water may be
supplied by pumping from the service pipes.
Pumped System:
 Determination of Pipe Sizes
❑ Permissible velocities for best results for different pipe sized pipes are
within the range of 0.3 to 2m/s.

❑ Once the velocity of flow is established loss of head due to friction, bends
and other reasons can be computed

➢
 Examples 1
1. A five blocks with G+7 apartments, each floors contain average of 50
persons. Water to be supplied from straight main towards blocks at a
distance of 1000m. If the loss of head is estimated to be 4m. It is
stipulated daily supply of 150 lit/capita should be continuous for 24
hours. Determine the size of pipe which is equal size through last
block, CH=100 Using Hazen-Williams formula
 Cont’d…
Solution
Total flow, Q = No. of block*No. of floor*person*per capita demand

= 5*8*50*150 = 300,000 lit/day = 3.472 l/sec (0.003472 m3/sec)

𝐻𝑓
S=
𝐿
= 4/1000 = 0.004

Q = 0.278𝐶𝐷2.63 𝑆 0.54 D = 0.101896m ≡ Ø100mm

Using Hazen-Williams Monograph( for Q = 3.472l/sec & hf = 4m)

Required size, D = Ø100mm

Velocity = 0.4m/sec
For Q = 3.47l/se and
loss = 4m, D = 100mm
and V = 0.4m/s
 PLUMBING FIXTURES
❑ Number of fixture units: Number of service units to be provided in
a building depend up on the number of occupants. For every 5
persons the following are the minimum number of fixture units
required:
 Plumbing and hot water installations

❑ Theoretically, plumbing is divided into three distinct sections:

1) Rainwater installation: includes everything necessary to convey
storm water from a roof to the storm water drain
2) Sanitary installation: all the pipework and fittings necessary to
dispose of the waste from sanitary fittings into the foul drain, the
sanitary fittings themselves, such as sinks, basins, baths, showers
urinals, bidets, and water closets/w. cs and the overflow pipes
3) Cold water supply: consists of all the pipework and fittings required
to convey water from the stop-cock on the incoming water main,
either direct or via a storage cistern/tank, to the sanitary fittings,
cylinder, and any independent draw-off taps.
 Hot water installation

❑ Hot water installation comprises:

i. all the pipework and fittings necessary to convey hot water from
the cylinder to those sanitary fittings which require a hot feed,

ii. the primary flow and return pipes including fittings, also known
as the main circuit, which connect the boiler and cylinder

iii. the ventilation pipe including fittings from the cylinder up to the
storage cistern

iv. the cylinder and the boiler, whenever it is employed primarily to

provide hot water.
 Hot water installation

❑ Actually, cold water supply apply equally to hot water installation

❑ Accurate setting out and sizing of pipe runs is even more critical
here than in cold water supply, since the conservation of heat is a
further important factor to be considered.