CE3303- Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering SRM TRPEC

UNIT –III
Water Storage And Distribution

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

(i) To supply water at sufficient pressure head.
(ii) To supply requisite quantity of water for fire fighting.
(iii) Cheap with least capital (construction) cost. The cost of installation of distribution
system is about 70% cost of water supply project.
(iv) Safe and should not cause failure of pipelines by bursting.
(v) Water should be available even during breakdown periods.
(vi) Water-tight and leakage losses should be minimum.
(vii) No obstruction of traffic during repairs.
(viii) Simple, easy operation and repair. RMO cost and troubles should be minimum.
(ix) Safe against future pollution of water. Water lines should be laid away from
drainage and sewerage lines.

Water Supply System -Different Methods Of Water Distribution

This objective is influenced by factors such as the water source’s elevation in relation to the
city, the local topography, and other location-specific conditions. To accomplish this, water
can be propelled into the distribution system through any of the following three methods:

 By gravitational system
 By pumping system
 by combined system

For efficient distribution it is required that water should reached to every consumer with
required rate of flow

Gravity System:

 Water flows due to gravitational force.

 When some ground, sufficiently high above the city area, is available, this can be
utilized for the distribution system in maintaining pressure in water pipes.
 Suitable when source of supply such as lake, river or impounding reservoir is at
sufficient height than city.
 No pumping is required, therefore it is the most reliable system.
 Water will have to be pumped during fires.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Prepared By : S.MANIMARAN

 Example: Mumbai city is supplied from lakes situated in the hills.

Pumping System (Pumping without storage system)

 Water is directly pumped in the mains.

 Treated water (without storage)
is directly pumped into the
distribution mains.
 Number of pumps are required to
meet the demand & if the power
fails, the whole supply of the
town will be stopped.
During power failures, there will be complete stoppage of supply
 During fires, large volume of water can be forced at high pressure. But, in case there is
a fire during power breakdown, it will be a disaster.

Combined Gravity and Pumping System

 Water is stored in elevated service reservoir when demand is small.

 When demand is more then it is distributed as required.
 This system is more reliable and
economical.
 Water comes from two sources one
from reservoir & second from
pumping station if demand increases

****** ******************************************************************
 Layout of water Distribution System Network

Depending upon the relative levels of the different zones of the city, the layout of the roads
etc., the type of the distribution network is adopted or decided.

There are four principal methods of layout of distribution system:

 Dead End System or Tree System.

 Grid Iron System or Reticulation System.
 Circular System or Ring System.
 Radial System.
(i) Dead-end system (Tree system)
 One main supply pipe from which originates a number of sub-main pipes. Each sub-
main, then divides into several branch pipes called laterals.
 From the laterals service connections
are given to the consumers.
 Adopted in older towns which developed
in a haphazard manner without properly
planned roads.
 Water supply mains have then to be
taken along the main roads & branches
taken off wherever needed, thus
resulting in the formation of a number of dead ends.

Advantages
 Simple & easy design calculation.
Disadvantages
 Cheap & economical design.
 Stagnation of water.
 Laying of pipe is simple  Accumulation of sediments at the dead
 Lesser number of cutoff valves are end.
required.  Less pressure in the remote parts.
 Discharge available for fire fighting in the
 Network can be extended easily. streets will be limited.
 In case of repairing, whole portion beyond
that point will be required to be cut off
completely.
Grid Iron System

 Mains, sub-mains and branches

are all inter-connected with
each other. In a well-planned
city/town, roads are properly
developed and the pipelines can
follow a grid-iron pattern.
 There are no dead ends and
water remains in continuous
circulation.
Disadvantages
Advantages
 A large number of cut off valves are
 Free circulation of water without any required.
stagnation or sediment deposit.
 The system requires longer pipes
 Due to inter connection, water is available lengths & bigger diameter.
at each point with minimum loss of head.
 The analysis of discharge, pressure &
 Enough water is available for fire fighting. velocities in the pipe is difficult.
 In case of repairs, very small area of the  The cost of laying water pipes is
distribution system is affected. more.
 The design is difficult. .

Circular or Ring System

 The supply main forms a ring around the

distribution system as shown in the figure.
 The branches are connected cross wise to the
mains and also to each other.
 The system is most suitable for the town or
area having well planned streets and roads.

Advantages Disadvantages
 Large quantity of water is available for fire  A large number of cutoff valves are
fighting. required.
 Free circulation of water.  Requires longer pipe length & bigger
 Water available with minimum loss of head diameter.
 Very small area of system is affected while  The analysis of discharge, pressure &
repairing. velocity in the pipe is difficult.
 Design is difficult
Radial System

 The area is divided into different zones. The

water is pumped into the distribution reservoir
kept in the middle of each zone and the
supply pipes are laid radially ending towards
the periphery.
 Water is taken from water main & pumped
into the distribution reservoirs.
 Water is then supplied through radially laid distribution pipes.

Advantages
 It gives quick service.
 Calculation of pipe sizes is easy.
 Ensure high pressure
 Efficient water distribution
*****************************************************************

ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Conditions to be satisfied in pipe networks:

 The Algebraic sum of pressure drops around a closed loop must be zero. (i.e. no
discountinuity in pressure)
 The flow entering a junction must be equal to the flow leaving the same junction. i.e.
law of continuity must be satisfied.

Pipe networks are solved by the following methods:

(1) Hardy - Cross Method

 At each junction, inflow-outflow.
 The algebraic sum of water entering and leaving any junction is zero.
 In any closed loop, algebraic sum of head loss is zero
(2) Equivalent Pipe Method
STORAGE AND BALANCING RESERVOIRS

Storage Reservoirs - store the treated water until it is pumped into the service reservoir or
distribution reservoirs. The capacity of storage reservoirs should be 14 to 16 hours of average
daily flow

Distribution Reservoirs - provide storage to meet the widely fluctuating demands, for fire-
fighting and during emergencies.

Distribution Reservoirs serve the following purposes:

 They absorb the hourly variations in demand.

 The pumps can be run at constant rate.
 Reduction in pipe sizes, pumps and treatment units (economical)

Types of Storage and Distribution Reservoir:

1. Surface Reservoirs

2. Elevated Reservoirs

3. Stand Pipes

Surface Reservoirs (Ground Reservoirs)

Surface reservoir are circular or rectangular

tanks, constructed at ground level or below
the ground level.

 Made up of masonry or concrete.

 Lining is provided with concrete or
asphalt to check leakage of water

The reservoir has two or more compartments

to facilitate cleaning and repair.

 Overflow pipes are provided at full

supply level to maintain constant water level.
 Ventilators are provided at roof slab for free circulation of air.
 The sludge settled in the reservoir due to storage of water is removed through washout
pipes
Elevated Reservoirs (Overhead Tanks)

 Rectangular, circular or elliptical tanks.

 Supported on towers at suitable
elevation above ground level.
 Used where pressure
requirements are high.
 Used where combined gravity
and pumping system of
distribution are adopted.
 Water is pumped into these
elevated reservoirs from surface
reservoirs and then supplied to consumers.
 These tanks are made of RCC, steel, stone masonry or prestressed concrete

Location of the Distribution Reservoirs

 They should be centrally located to have maximum command of the area.

 They must be near to the area of distribution.
 They should be located on high grounds/ elevations to maintain adequate pressure.
 They should be close to the places of heavy demands to reduce the head losses.

STORAGE CAPACITY OF DISTRIBUTION RESERVOIRS

The total storage capacity of a distribution reservoir is the total of

The minimum volume of water to be stored in reservoir to buffer the fluctuation in demand ie
to balance the variable demand

1. Balancing storage (or equalising or operating storage)

 Hydrograph Method.
 Mass curve Method.
 Analytical Methods.

2. Breakdown storage.

3. Fire storage
Different types of Pipes materials

 Circular conduits in which water flows under pressure or gravity

 Now days pressure pipes have eliminated the use of channels, aqueduct, tunnels, etc
 Made up of various material
1) Cast Iron 6) Timber
2) Wrought Iron 7) Plastic
3) Steel (MS) 8) Copper
4) Cement Concrete 9) Lead
5) Asbestos Cement 10) Vitrified Clay
Factors Affecting Selection of Pipe Material

 Carrying capacity of pipe (Coefficient of roughness)

 Durability and life of pipe
 Type of fluid or water to be conveyed & its corrosive effects
 Internal and external corrosion problems
 Type of soil
 Strength of the pipe & measured by its ability to resist internal pressure and
 external loads
 Availability of funds
 Safety, economy, & availability of pipe
 Maximum permissible diameter
 Ease or Difficulty of transportation , handling and laying and jointing under different
conditions

PIPE FITTINGS or PIPE JOINTS

 Pipe are manufactured in small length of 2 to 6 m for the facilities in handling

transportation and placing in position.
 These small pieces of pipes are then joined together after placing in position, to make
one continuous length of pipe line.

Types of Joints

1. Spigot and socket joint 5. Expansion joint

6. Simplex joint
2. Flanged Joined
7. Screwed Joint
3. Mechanical joint
8. Collar Joint
4. Flexible joint
(i) Spigot and Socket joint

 The C.I Pipes are made with one end normal

and other end enlarged.
 Spigot inserted into socket & empty space is
filled by molten lead
 Joint is flexible but requires skilled labour
 May be used for RCC pipes
 For economy sometimes cement mortar are also used in place of lead
 Hemp yarn fiber uses to maintain the alignment
(ii) Flanged joint
 Used in CI pipes cast with flanges at both ends.
 Pipes two ends are brought in perfect level to join each
other.
 Before flanges bolted rubber gasket are placed.
 Cant be used where vibration and deflection of pipes, etc
(iii)Mechanical joint
 Two plain ends are joined together by means of mechanical
coupling.
 Used in CI, Wrought Iron & Steel pipes.
 Mechanical Victaulic joint consist of a U shaped rubber ring
enclosed by a metal housing made in two parts.
 These two parts are then bolted together to form a ring
around the pipe.
 The iron rings are then tighten by nuts & bolts.

(iv) Collar joint

 Mostly uses for joining big diameter concrete & asbestos

cement pipes.
 Two ends of pipes are brought in one level
 1:1 cement mortar is filled in the space between pipe & collar as shown
Expansion joints
 Where pipes expand or contract due to change in temperature
 Thus checks the thermal stresses in the pipes
 Appurtenances in Distribution System (Pipe Appurtenances)

Valves and fitting are appurtenance provided in the pipe lines for safety and proper function of
the supply.

4. Water Taps
1. Valves
5. Stop Cocks
2. Fire hydrants
6. Pipe Bends etc.
3. Water Meters
Valves

Valves are appurtenance provided in the pipe lines for the following purposes:

 To control the flow of water.

 To maintain the pressure
 To release air from the pipe line.
 To prevent the reverse flow of water
 To discharge the water out from the pipe line

Types of Valves

1. Sluice valve (or) Gate valves 4. Air valves

2. Reflux valves 5. Scour valves
3. Relief valves/Safety valve 6. Altitude valves
(i) Sluice valve
 Also known as Cut-off Valve / Gate Valve / Shut-off
Valve.
 Sluice valve is provided to regulate the flow of water
through the pipe.
 They are usually placed at the summit points in the
pipe as pressure to be resisted by this valve is
minimum at those points.
 They are also placed at street corners or where two
pipe lines intersect.
 The spacing of such valve may be between 150 to
300 m.
 They offer almost no resistance to flow of water when the valve is wide open.
Mechanism:
 The valve consists of a wedge-shaped metal gate connected to the wheel by the
spindle.
 When the wheel is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction the spindle rises up and allows
the water to flow through it.
 (ii) Reflux Valve (or) Check valve
 Also known as Check Valve / Non-Return Valve.
 Reflux valve allows the water to flow in one direction
only.
 A Check valve allows water to flow in one direction
only and the flow in the reverse Flow is automatically
stopped by it
Mechanism:

The valve consists of a hinged gate.

When the pump is operated, the pressure of the flowing water makes the gate opens by
rotating about the hinge and allows the water to pass into the other section.
(iii) Safety Valve
 Also known as Pressure Relief Valve / Automatic cut-off
valve.
 This valve is located at those points where pressure is likely
to be maximum.
 Safety valve is provided to release excess pressure from the
pipe line and protect the pipeline against possible danger of
bursting due to excessive pressure.
Mechanism:
 The valve consists of disc controlled by spring which can be
adjusted to desired pressure.
 When the pressure in the pipe line is below the predetermined
value, the disc remains closed
(iv) Air Relief Valves
 The air valve helps to admit air into the pipe
when the pipe is being emptied or when negative
or vacuum pressure is created in the pipe.
 Air valve operates automatically while allowing
air to escape from or to enter a pipe.
 The air valves are usually located at summits and
also at changes in grade to steeper slopes.

Mechanisms:


The valve consists of a cast iron chamber, float, lever and poppet valve.

Under normal conditions, the chamber is full of water and the float touches the roof of
the chamber and the poppet valve is in closed position.
(v) Scour Valves or Blow-off Valves or Drain Valves
 Provided for completely emptying or draining of
the pipe for removing sand or silt deposited in the
pipe and for inspection, repair, etc located at dead
ends and depressions or low points in the Pipeline
 Fire hydrants
Hydrant is an outlet provided in a pipeline for
tapping water mainly for the purpose of fire
fighting. Also be used for withdrawing water for
certain other purposes such a sprinkling on roads,
flushing streets, etc. Generally fire hydrants are
placed at all important road junctions and at
intervals not exceeding about 300 m.

Requirements of good hydrant are:

• Easy to connect hose or motor pump
• Cheap
• Easily detectable during fire
• Provide undisturbed water flow
• Not get out of order during operation.
Water Meter
Measures the quantity of water flowing under pressure through pressure conduits in order to
charge the consumers.

Requirements of good water meter:

• It should Record all discharges
• Maintenance and repair should be easy
• Minimum error in measuring discharges
(less than 20%)
• Work efficiently at all pressures
• Minimum hindrance to flow (Min. head loss)
• Parts should not be damaged by chemicals present in water
HOUSE SERVICE CONNECTION

(a) Ferrule - It is a right angle sleeve made

of brass or gun metal and is joined to a hole
drilled in the water main and is screwed
down with a plug. Its size varies between
10 to 50 mm dia.

(b) Goose neck - A small size curve pipe made of flexible material usually lead, about 75cm
length forming a flexible connection between the water main and the service pipe.

(c) Service pipe - Galvanised iron pipe < 50mm dia laid underground in a trench. The service
pipe is connected to the municipal main through the goose neck and ferrule.

(d) Stop cock - Provided before the water meter in the house. It is housed in a masonry chamber
with removable cover and fixed in the street close to the boundary wall
 Leakage in Water Distribution

 “Waste“covers the quantity of water lost by leakage from water mains, service pipes
and fittings, abandoned service pipes / ferrule connection etc.
 By adopting proper techniques and doing systematic field work, it is observed that
wastage can be reduced by 10 to 20 % of the total supply received
 Efforts are being made by the concerned authorities to increase supply hours and
pressures, which in turn lead to more wastage.

Factors Affecting Leakages

1. High pressures 5. Effects of traffic
2. Poor quality of fittings / bad 6. Age of pipes
workmanship 7. Damage to Pipes by other utility
3. Soil movement concerns
4. Shock and water hammer
Leakage detection methods
i. By direct observation
ii. By using sounding rods
iii. By plotting hydraulic gradient line
iv. By using waste detection meters (Deacon's meter)
(i) By direct observation
 Wet soft spots on unpaved ground, grasses, emergence of springs at odd places indicates
leakage from underground pipes.
 Such indications will be available when pipes are laid below loamy or clayey soils.
 However, direct observation is difficult in sandy soils.
(ii) By using sounding rods
A metal rod is inserted the ground at the
suspected portion , if there a leak in the pipe
the sound of the water escaping through the
leak can be heard by placing the ear against the
rod, or by means of an amplifying device such
as aqua phone or sonoscope.
The sound hearing should be done during night
hours.

(iii)By plotting hydraulic gradient line

The pressures at various points along a

suspected pipeline are measured and the
HGL is plotted.
(iv)By using waste detection meters

These meters measure the unusually

high flows passing through the water
mains during periods of low
consumption (during night or early
morning)

• The unusual flow indicates leakage.

• This test is conducted during night

hours.

Method: The suspected locality is isolated.

• The supplies to all other areas are closed down except the suspected area.

• The meter is fitted at the head of main supply pipe and flow is recorded.

Deacon's waster : water detection meters are widely used as they are sensitive and accurate.
The water passing through the meter forces down a brass disc which moves a pencil point up
and down on a graph paper mounted on a drum. It automatically records the discharge of water.