Chapter 1 - Quantity of Water
Chapter 1 - Quantity of Water
Most of the world still does not have centralized water supply with connections to individual
households according to the World Health Organization roughly 1.1 billion of the world’s 6 billion
people do not have access to an improved water supply.
The estimated water supply coverage for Ethiopia is 41.2 % for rural and 78.8 % for urban without
considering the functional condition of the facilities making the country’s water supply coverage
47.3 %.
Drinking water is water used for domestic purposes, drinking, cooking and personal hygiene;
Safe drinking water is water with microbial, chemical and physical characteristics that meet
WHO guidelines or national standards on drinking water quality;
Access to water-supply services is defined as the availability of at least 20 liters per person
per day from an "improved" source within 1 kilometer of the user's dwelling.
An “improved” source is one that is likely to provide "safe" water, such as a household
connection, a borehole, etc.
An improved water supply is defined as:
Household connection
Public standpipe
Borehole
Protected dug well
Protected spring
Rainwater collection
Only 48% of the world’s population is connected at the household level.
Water supply engineering deals with the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance
of water supply systems. While planning a water supply project care should be taken to come up
with economical, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly schemes that meet the present as
well as future requirement. A water supply system is designed to attain the following objectives:
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CENG 3182 Water Supply & Urban Drainage Lecture Note
Treatment plant
Distribution systems (pipes, pumps, reservoir, different appurtenances)
Water supply system planning involves identification of service needs, evaluation of options,
determination of optimal strategy to meet services, and development of implementation strategies.
The planning exercise involves collection of pertinent data, consideration of relevant factors, and
preparation of project documents and cost estimates.
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iv) Industries. The water requirement of the existing industries as well as future industries should be
thoroughly determined and, provision made in the project accordingly.
v) Sources of water. Detailed survey of the various sources of water available in the vicinity of the
area should be made. Survey of the existing sources should also be made. In case the present
source of water is well, which cannot cater for future needs, alternative water source should be
considered.
vi) Conveyance of water. Conveyance of water from source to water treatment units depend on the
relative levels of the two points. It may flow directly by gravity, if source is at higher elevation. In
case pumping is required, then the capacity of the pumps should be determined.
vii)Quality of water. The analysis of the raw water quality should be made to know the various
impurities present in it, and to decide on the required treatment processes.
viii)Treatment works. The various sizes and number of treatment units in the water works depend on
the quality and quantity of raw water and the limiting water quality standards.
ix) Pumping units for treated water. The pump-house is designed by considering the future
population water demand. The required number of pumps is installed in the pump house for the
present water pumping requirement, with provision of 50% stand-by pumps for emergency.
x) Storage. The entire city or town should be divided into several pressure zones and storage facility
should be provided in each zone. The altitude of the storage facility should ensure supply of water
at the required pressure.
xi) Distribution system. The distribution system should be designed according to the master plan of
the town, keeping in mind the future development. The design of the main should be based on
peak hour demands. The design of the pipes should also take into account the fire demand.
xii)Economy and reliability. The water supply scheme should be economical and reliable. It should
draw sufficient quantity of water from the source at cheapest cost and the purification should
meet desired limits.
Project documents:
In general the following drawings of the project are prepared and used for estimating the cost and
execution of the project:
Topographical Map: Showing roads, location of water sources, limits of the town with its roads,
layout of pipes from the source to water works etc. at a scale of 1:500
Site Plan: Showing the location of the scheme and the area to be served is also prepared at a
scale of 1: 500
Contour Map: The contour map or plan of the entire area is prepared at a scale of 1: 100,
showing the location of water mains, sub-mains, branches, valves, fire hydrants, pumping
stations, service reservoirs, roads, streets etc.
Flow Diagrams: The flow diagram of the entire scheme is prepared showing the sequence of
operations and all aspects of the scheme. The approximate sizes of purification and distribution
mains are also given on these diagrams.
Detailed Drawings: The detailed drawings of the various units and components of the scheme are
prepared.
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The cost of a water supply project depends on the types of water sources, length of rising mains,
required treatment processes, pumping and storage facilities, distribution system etc. The cost of
various parts of the water supply schemes may be taken approximately as follows for guidance.
Table 1.1 Approximate percentage costs of water supply components
S.N Items Cost (% of the total cost)
1 Pumping stations 18 %
2 Storage facilities 6%
3 Treatment plants 10 %
4 Distribution system 50 %
5 Intakes and buildings 2%
6 Source development 9%
7 Water meters and other contingencies 5%
Total 100 %
Note: The above percentages are for guidance and can be used for preparation
of preliminary estimates for administrative approval
A preliminary report for the purpose of determining the most economical, dependable, and safe
community water supply should be prepared. The contents of the report may cover the following
areas:
existing water supply facilities and need for expansion
design periods
population projections, water consumption projections, and design capacities
water quality objectives and source selection
site selection for intake, treatment plant and conveyance systems
Evaluation of raw water quality and treatment processes
Preliminary design and cost estimates
Recommended capital improvement plan
Environmental impact assessment
Elements of a water supply system are designed to serve present and future population. It is therefore
necessary to forecast the future population using suitable methods (see Table 1.2). The date in the
future for which the projection is made depends on the component of the system which is being
designed.
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increase
1 P P2
Kd ln( s )
T2 T1 Ps P1
60
other similar but larger cities are also plotted
in such a manner that all the curves are B
50
coincident at the present population value of
the city being studied. These curves are used
Graphical 40
as guides in future projections.
comparison
30
20
City A 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
City B 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
City C 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990
YEAR
In this method, the population of the city in From the population records of a series of census years, the
question is assumed to follow the same ratio is plotted and then projected to the year of interest.
Ratio trends as that of the zone, region, or country. From the estimated population of the zone, region, or
country and the projected ratio, the population of the city
concerned is obtained.
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1. Arithmetic method: here it is assumed that the rate r of population growth is constant.
Mathematically the hypothesis may be expressed as
𝑑𝑝
= 𝑘 ……………………………….. (1.1)
𝑑𝑡
k is determined graphically of from successive population figures. And the future population
is given by
Pt = Po +kt ……………….…………. (1.2)
Where, Pt = population at some time in the future
Po = present population
t = period of projection
2. Geometric or uniform percentage method: This hypothesis assumes a rate of increase
which is proportional to the population.
𝑑𝑝
= 𝑘𝑝 ……………………………….. (1.3)
𝑑𝑡
Integrating equation (1.3) yields
ln 𝑝 = ln 𝑝𝑜 + 𝑘∆𝑡 ……………………. (1.4)
This hypothesis could be verified by plotting recorded population growth on semi-log paper. If a
straight line can be fitted to the data, the value of k can be estimated from the slope.
3. Geometric increase method: in this hypothesis, the average percentage of the last few
decades is determined, and the forecasting is done on the basis that percentage increase per
decade will be same. Thus, the population at the end of n years or decades is given as
𝐴𝐺𝑅 𝑛
𝑃𝑛 = 𝑃𝑜 (1 + 100 ) ………..……….. (1.5)
Where, AGR = annual growth rate of the population
Pn = population at time n in the future
Po = present population
n = periods of projection
Example 1.1. The census figure of a city shows population as follows
Present population 50000
Before one decade 47100
Before two decades 43500
Before three decades 41000
Work out the probable population after one, two and three decades using arithmetic increase and
geometric increase method.
Example 1.2. The Annual Growth Rate of a town in Ethiopia is 3.5%. Assuming the present
population of the town (in 2007) is 4500, what would be the population in 2020?
Example 1.3. The following data shows the variation in population of a town from 1944 to2004.
Estimate the population of the city in the year 2014 and 2019 by arithmetic and geometric increase
methods.
Year 1944 1954 1964 1974 1984 1994 2004
Population 40185 44522 60395 75614 98886 124230 158800
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by the declining growth or logistic curve method. An area with abundant potential for land and
resources may follow geometric type of population growth. In nearly all cases, comparison is made
to the recorded growth patterns of similar cities.
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This includes water lost or unaccounted for because of leaks in main and appurtenances, faulty
meters, and unauthorized water connections. These and other components of non-legitimate use are
categorised as:
Apparent losses: source and supply meter errors, unauthorised or unrecorded consumption, and
Real losses: leakage from transmission and distribution mains and service pipes upstream of
consumers’ meters, from valves, hydrants and washouts and leakage and overflows from the water
utility’s storage facilities.
These losses should be taken in to account while estimating the total requirements. Losses and
leakage may reach as high as 35% of the total consumption in the case of Addis Ababa.
Fire demand
The quantity of water required for fire protection should be easily available and kept always stored
in storage reservoirs. Fire hydrants are usually fitted to the water mains and fire-fighting pumps are
connected to these mains by the fire brigade personnel when a fire breaks out. Although the actual
amount of water used for fire fighting in a year is small, the rate of use is high. The following
empirical equation may be used to estimate fire demand.
National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU)
QF 231.6 P (1 0.01 P )
Where, QF = is fire demand (m /hr); P = Population in 1000’s.
3
Examples of required fire flow for single family residential areas not exceeding two stories in height
is given in Table 1.6.
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Table 1.6
Distance b/n dwelling units (m) Required fire flow m3/min
Over 30.5 1.9
9.5 – 30.5 2.8-3.8
3.4 – 9.1 3.8-5.7
3.1 or less 5.7-7.6
Continuous building 9.5
The fire flow should be available from 2 hrs to 10 hrs depending on the estimated fire demand
(Table 1.7).
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The fluctuations among the above demands can be conveniently expressed as a ratio to the mean
average daily flow. These ratios vary greatly for different localities and as such a careful study for
each locality must be made from past data to develop these fluctuations. In the absence of past data,
the following empirical formula may be used.
p 180t 0.10
Where,
p = percent of annual average demand for time, t
t = time, d. The time t in days varies from 2/24 to 365.
The peak hourly demand may be estimated as 150 percent of maximum day demand.
Design of water supply system components requires knowledge of per capita water demands at the
initial and design years. The following procedure is generally used to project the water demand;
1. Estimate the future population of the service area for the initial and design years.
2. From the historical annual water usage data and population served, determine the average per
capita daily water demand.
3. Plot annual average per capita demand versus the year.
4. Considering water-conservation efforts and other general trends in water demand, establish
for the desired future years the annual average per capita water demands.
5. Develop the ratio of maximum day (of the year) usage record and the annual average day
data developed in step 2.
6. Establish an appropriate maximum day to average day ratio for future projections.
7. From records taken during high-demand hours, establish the ratio of peak hour to maximum
day demand.
8. Determine the projected average day, maximum day, and peak hour demands.
A water supply system is generally designed and constructed to serve the needs of a community for a number
of years in the future. The initial year is the year when the construction is completed and the initial operation
begins. The design year is the year when the facility is expected to reach its full design capacity and further
expansion may become necessary.
Several factors need to be considered to select an appropriate design period. The major ones include:
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The design period and design capacity of the different system components (Fig. 1.1) may vary as
indicated in Table 1.8.
Pipe grids
Distribution system
Fig. 1.1 Typical water supply system (LLP: Low Lift Pump; HLP: High Lift Pump; TP: Treatment
Plant; SR: Service Reservoir)
Table 1.8 Design periods and design capacities of water supply components
Design Design capacity
Special
Component period
characteristics
(Years)
Source:
Groundwater Easy to expand 5-10
Qday-max during the design period
Surface sources Uneasy to expand 20-50
(River intakes,
Reservoirs)
Long life Qday-max
Cost of material is Suitable velocities under all
Pipe mains (Type I
only a small >25 anticipated flow conditions
and Type II)
portion of the cost
of construction
Expansion is Qday-max or 1.6Qday-avg whichever is
Treatment plant 10-15
simple greater
LLP: 2Qday-avg or 4/3Qday-max
Easy to modify whichever is greater
Pumping units 10
and expand HLP: 3Qday-avg or 4/3Qday-max,
whichever is greater
Design should consider:
Hourly fluctuations of flow
Long life
The emergency reserve
Easy to construct
Service reservoir Very long The provision required when
Relatively
pumps satisfy the entire days
inexpensive
demand in less than 24 hrs.
The fire demand.
Long life Qhr-max or Qday-max+QF , whichever is
Type III pipe and
Replacement is Indefinite greater (calculated for anticipated
distribution pipes
very expensive maximum growth)
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Following water saving practices (e.g. turn off water while soaping in a shower)
Use of water saving devices (water saving toilets, shower heads, etc.)
Reducing water pressure
Metering water usage
Leak detection and repair
Recycling of “grey water”
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