RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Module 1

Importance of Village community in India

1. Community Ownership and Participation

• Water Supply: Village communities take ownership of local water resources and
infrastructure, such as wells, hand pumps, and water tanks, fostering a sense of
responsibility and care for these assets.

• Sanitation: Active participation in sanitation initiatives, such as the construction and

maintenance of toilets, helps in reducing open defecation and improving overall
hygiene.

2. Localized Decision-Making and Resource Management

• Water Supply: Local governance structures like Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
enable villagers to make decisions that reflect their specific water needs and challenges,
ensuring efficient use of resources.

• Sanitation: Community members play a key role in deciding the location of sanitation
facilities, ensuring accessibility and acceptability, especially for women and
marginalized groups.

3. Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Practices

• Water Supply: Villagers use traditional knowledge of local water sources, seasonal
variations, and water conservation methods, such as rainwater harvesting and
groundwater recharge, to manage resources sustainably.

• Sanitation: Traditional practices are integrated with modern sanitation techniques to

create solutions that are culturally appropriate and sustainable.

4. Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and Behavior Change

• Sanitation: CLTS is a community-driven approach that empowers villagers to

collectively stop open defecation by raising awareness about its health impacts. It
promotes behavior change, resulting in cleaner, healthier environments.

• Water Supply: Community awareness campaigns highlight the importance of safe

drinking water, encouraging households to adopt practices like water boiling and
filtering.
Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

5. Monitoring, Maintenance, and Sustainability

• Water Supply: Villagers regularly monitor water systems, identifying and fixing issues
like leaks, contamination, or mechanical failures promptly, ensuring uninterrupted
water supply.

• Sanitation: Community members participate in the upkeep of sanitation facilities, such

as cleaning public toilets and managing waste, contributing to the overall hygiene of
the village.

6. Capacity Building and Skill Development

• Water Supply: Training villagers in technical skills, such as operating and maintaining
water systems, empowers them to handle minor repairs and manage water resources
efficiently.

• Sanitation: Capacity building initiatives teach villagers about the health benefits of
sanitation, personal hygiene, and waste management, leading to improved community
health outcomes.

7. Equitable Access and Social Inclusion

• Water Supply: Village communities work towards ensuring equitable access to water
resources, especially for marginalized groups, women, and children, who are often most
affected by water scarcity.

• Sanitation: By involving all community members, including women and disadvantaged

groups, in decision-making processes, sanitation facilities are designed to be accessible
and inclusive.

8. Social Accountability and Transparency

• Water Supply: Village communities hold local leaders and service providers
accountable, ensuring transparency in the implementation and maintenance of water
supply systems.

• Sanitation: Community-led monitoring and evaluation help in maintaining transparency

in sanitation projects, ensuring that funds and resources are used effectively.

9. Conflict Resolution

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• Water Supply and Sanitation: Villages use traditional conflict resolution mechanisms to
address disputes over water use or sanitation practices, reducing the need for external
intervention and fostering community cohesion.

10. Improving Public Health and Reducing Disease

• Water Supply: Access to clean water significantly reduces waterborne diseases, such as
diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, improving the overall health of the community.

• Sanitation: Proper sanitation reduces the spread of diseases by managing human waste
effectively, improving hygiene and preventing contamination of water sources.

Need for protected water supply

1. Preventing Waterborne Diseases

• Health Impact: Unprotected water sources, such as open wells, rivers, and ponds, are
highly susceptible to contamination from human and animal waste, industrial
pollutants, and agricultural runoff. This leads to waterborne diseases like cholera,
typhoid, diarrhea, and dysentery, which are prevalent in rural areas.

• Protected Water Supply: A protected water supply, including piped water systems,
boreholes, and covered wells, significantly reduces the risk of contamination, ensuring
safe drinking water and reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases.

2. Improving Public Health and Hygiene

• Sanitation Link: Safe water is essential for maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene
practices, such as handwashing, toilet cleaning, and menstrual hygiene management.
Poor water quality can undermine sanitation efforts, spreading pathogens even if
sanitation facilities are available.

• Health Outcomes: A protected water supply directly supports improved health

outcomes by providing clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene,
thereby reducing the overall disease burden.

3. Ensuring Consistent Water Quality and Safety

• Quality Control: Protected water sources are less prone to fluctuations in water quality
due to external contaminants. Regular monitoring and treatment (e.g., chlorination,
filtration) of protected water supplies ensure that the water meets safety standards.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• Reliability: Protected sources are more reliable, providing a steady supply of water that
is free from harmful pathogens, chemical contaminants, and sediments.

4. Sustainable Water Resource Management

• Protection of Water Sources: By protecting water sources from overuse, pollution,

and degradation, rural communities can ensure the long-term availability of clean water.
This includes protecting catchment areas, maintaining recharge zones, and
implementing groundwater management practices.

• Community Stewardship: Protected water systems encourage communities to take

responsibility for their local water resources, fostering sustainable use and conservation
practices.

5. Supporting Agriculture and Livelihoods

• Safe Irrigation: Protected water supplies are also vital for safe irrigation, reducing the
risk of crops being contaminated by polluted water, which can affect food safety and
local markets.

• Livelihood Impact: Access to safe water supports various livelihood activities, such as
animal husbandry and small-scale food processing, which require clean water to
maintain product safety and quality.

6. Mitigating the Impact of Natural Disasters

• Resilience Building: During natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, unprotected
water sources can become compromised. Protected water supplies, especially those
designed with disaster resilience in mind, provide communities with a more reliable
source of water during emergencies.

• Disaster Preparedness: Protected systems are easier to secure, repair, and maintain in
the aftermath of natural calamities, ensuring that communities have access to safe water
even in crisis situations.

7. Reducing the Workload on Women and Children

• Time and Effort: In rural areas, women and children are often responsible for fetching
water. Unprotected sources can be far from home, unsafe, and require significant time
and effort to access.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• Safe Access: Protected water supplies, such as piped connections and community taps,
reduce the time and physical burden of collecting water, allowing women and children
to focus on education, work, and other productive activities.

8. Promoting Gender Equity and Empowerment

• Women's Health: Access to protected water supplies improves the health and well-
being of women, particularly during pregnancy and menstruation, when clean water is
essential.

• Empowerment: By reducing the time spent on water collection and improving overall
health, protected water supplies empower women to participate more actively in
community life and economic activities.

9. Enhancing Community Confidence in WSS Systems

• Trust in Services: When communities have access to protected water supplies, their
confidence in local water and sanitation systems increases. This can lead to greater
community involvement, support for WSS programs, and adherence to sanitation
practices.

• Behavior Change: Protected water supplies encourage positive behavior change, such
as the use of toilets, handwashing, and other hygiene practices, by providing the
necessary resources to maintain these habits.

The Objectives of Protected Water supply system are,

1. To provide water to consumer for drinking purpose

2. To supply adequate quantity of water to meet at least minimum needs of individual

3. To make adequate provisions for emergencies like fire fighting, festivals, general or
public meetings etc.,

4. To make provisions for future demands due to increase in population, increase in standard
living, storage and conveyors

5. To prevent the pollution of water sources

6. To maintain the treatment units and distribution systems in good conditions with
adequate staff and materials

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

7. To design and maintain the system i.e economical and reliable

Traditional sources of water in rural areas

1. Wells

• Shallow wells

• shallow well is a type of water well where the depth is relatively close to the surface,
typically not exceeding 30 feet (9 meters). These wells access water from the uppermost
layer of groundwater, known as the water table.

• Deep wells (boreholes)

• A deep well, often referred to as a borehole, is a well that is drilled deep into the earth
to access water from confined aquifers that lie far below the surface, often hundreds of
feet deep. These wells can provide more stable and cleaner water sources than shallow
wells due to their depth.

2. Rivers and Streams

• Rivers and streams are natural watercourses that flow across the land, moving from
higher elevations to lower ones, eventually merging into larger bodies of water such as
lakes, seas, or oceans. Streams are smaller, often feeding into rivers, while rivers are
typically larger and flow longer distances.

3. Lakes and Ponds

• Lakes, ponds, and tanks are common in many rural regions, especially in areas with
little rainfall. Ponds are sometimes man-made for agricultural purposes and rainwater
harvesting.

4. Rainwater Harvesting

• Rural communities have long used techniques like collecting rainwater from rooftops,
natural slopes, or dugout structures. This water is stored in tanks, cisterns, or ponds for
future use, particularly in arid regions.

5. Stepwells (Baolis/Baoris)

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• These are ancient water storage systems found in parts of India and Pakistan. Stepwells
are deep wells with steps descending to the water level. They are used to store rainwater
or groundwater.

6. Springs

• Natural springs emerge where groundwater flows to the surface. These are often reliable
sources of fresh water, especially in hilly or mountainous regions.

7. Canals

• In some regions, especially agricultural areas, irrigation canals are built to distribute
water from rivers or reservoirs to fields. These canals often serve as a source of water
for nearby households.

8. Hand-dug Tanks (Kunds and Johads)

• In areas with sparse rainfall, traditional water tanks called "kunds" or "johads" are dug
to collect rainwater. These are typically lined with stone or clay to reduce evaporation
and prevent seepage.

9. Dams and Reservoirs

• Small earthen or masonry dams are constructed to store water from seasonal rivers or
rainwater runoff. The reservoirs created behind these dams provide water for
agriculture, livestock, and sometimes household needs.

10. Water Harvesting Pits

• Pits or trenches are dug to collect and infiltrate water into the ground. This helps
recharge groundwater and can serve as a supplementary water source during dry
periods.

Investigation and selection of water sources Rural Water Supply

1. Preliminary Investigation

Community Needs Assessment

• Demand Analysis: Estimate the daily water requirements for drinking, cooking,
agriculture, livestock, and other domestic needs. A common estimate is 20–50 liters per
person per day.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• Basic Consumption (WHO Standard): 50–100 liters per person per day (L/day).

• Minimum Standard (For survival): 20 liters per person per day. This is the minimum to
meet basic needs for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

• Demographic Data: Use population figures to project current and future water
demands, considering population growth.

• Water Usage Patterns: Understand seasonal variations in water usage, particularly

during dry seasons when demand may increase.

The following points should be considered while selecting the site for the source of water for
a water supply scheme.

• Location

• Elevation of intake point

• Quantity & Quality of available water

• Topography of the intervention area

• Location :

The source of water must be situated as near as possible to the town or city to
minimize the cost of conveyance.

• Elevation of intake point :

The reduced level (R.L) of the intake point should be higher than that of the city or
town to be supplied with, so as to make the gravity flow possible.

When the water is available at lower levels than the average city level, pumping has to
be resorted, which involves huge operation cost and frequent possible breakdowns.

• Quantity of available water

The quantity water available at the source must be sufficient to meet the various water
demands during the entire design period of the scheme

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Types of Water Sources

Surface Water Sources

• Rivers, Lakes, Ponds, and Streams: Surface water sources can be convenient and
provide large volumes of water, but they are prone to contamination and seasonal
variability.

Groundwater Sources

• Wells and Boreholes: Groundwater, typically accessed through wells or boreholes, is

usually less contaminated than surface water but may contain high mineral content or
be located deep underground.

Rainwater Harvesting

• Rainwater Collection: In areas with consistent rainfall, rainwater harvesting can

supplement other water sources.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Water Quality Testing

• Physical Parameters: Test for pH, turbidity, temperature, and total dissolved solids
(TDS).

• Chemical Analysis: Test for harmful chemicals such as arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and
heavy metals that may be present, especially in groundwater.

• Biological Contamination: Test for bacteria (e.g., E. coli), viruses, and other pathogens
that may indicate contamination from human or animal waste.

• Salinity and Hardness: Particularly important in coastal and arid regions where water
may have high salinity.

Water Quality

• Health and Safety: Prioritize sources that provide water with minimal contamination
to reduce the need for costly treatment. If treatment is required, assess the feasibility
and cost.

• Treatment Needs: Consider the infrastructure required to treat water from a

contaminated source to meet drinking water standards.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Waterborne diseases:

Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens (microorganisms such as bacteria,

viruses, parasites, and protozoa) that are transmitted through contaminated water. These
diseases primarily affect the gastrointestinal system but can also impact other organs depending
on the pathogen involved.

• Drinking water is a major source of microbial pathogens in developing countries.

• Waterborne disease cause more than 2 million deaths and 4 billion cases of diarrhea
annually.

• 9 out of 10 deaths are in children and virtually all of the deaths are in developing
countries.

The importance of water quality

• Safe water is a precondition for health and development and a basic human right.

• Water-related diseases caused by insufficient safe water supplies coupled with poor
sanitation and hygiene.

Terms to be known

• Potable(clean) water:

it is free of all objectional material, including pathogens, tastes, odors, colours, toxins,
radioactive material, organisms, oils, gases, etc.

• Contaminated or polluted water

Water contaminated with sewage, domestic or industrial waste with chemicals and
pathogenic microorganisms .

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Water lifting device /pump

Why should water supply and sanitary Engineers study pumps/WLD?

The heading to this sub section is a perfectly reasonable question to ask since normally we are
not involved in their manufacture, we are simply users of them.

There are several reasons why it is useful for us to have some idea of how pumps work and the
different types of pumps available, the more important of these are as follows:

• Matching pumps to pipelines i.e. which is the most suitable size and type of pump for any
given pipeline
• To understand the relationship between head and flow in a pump
• To determine the power requirements of pumps

Pumping terms

The key performance parameters of centrifugal pumps are capacity, head, BHP (Brake horse
power), BEP (Best efficiency point) and specific speed.

The pump curves provide the operating window within which these parameters can be varied
for satisfactory pump operation.

Suction Lift

• It exists when the source of supply is below the center line of the pump.

• STATIC SUCTION LIFT is the vertical distance in meter from the centerline of the
pump to the free level of the liquid to be pumped.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Suction Head

• It exists when the source of supply is above the centerline of the pump.

• STATIC SUCTION HEAD is the vertical distance in meter from the centerline of the
pump to the free level of the liquid to be pumped.

Applications of pump

The following are a few main domains that use pumps extensively:
Water supply: To supply water to inhabited areas.
Drainage: To control the level of water in a protected area.
Sewage: To collect and treat sewage.
Irrigation: To make dry lands agriculturally productive.

Chemical industry: To transport fluids to and from various sites in the chemical plant.
Petroleum industry: Used in every phase of petroleum production, transportation, and
refinery.

Pharmaceutical and medical field: To transfer of chemicals in drug manufacture; pump fluids
in and out of the body.
Steel mills: To transport cooling water.
Construction: Bypass pumping, well-point dewatering, remediation, and general site pumping
applications.
Mining: Heavy-duty construction, wash water, dust control fines and tailings pumping, site
dewatering, groundwater control, and water runoff.

Pumps are adopted in water supply system

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

✓ To increase the water pressure at certain point in the distribution system

✓ To lift treated water to elevated tanks so that may flow automatically under gravity in
to distribution system

✓ To lift raw water or lake to carry it to the treatment plant.

✓ To lift water available from wells to an elevated storage tank in stages.

✓ To pump water directly into the distribution system.

✓ To take out water from basins, sumps, tanks etc.

Classification based on type of power required

❖ Steam engine pumps

❖ Diesel engine pumps

❖ Electrically driven pumps

❖ Hand Pumps

❖ Solar-Powered Pumps

❖ Rope and Bucket System

❖ Treadle Pumps

❖ Windmill Pumps

❖ Gravity-Fed Systems

❖ Pedal-Powered Water Pumps

❖ Centrifugal pump

Protection of well waters

Well Siting and Construction

• Proper Location: Place wells away from potential contamination sources such as
septic systems, agricultural fields, and industrial areas. A minimum distance of at least
100 feet from septic systems is often recommended.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

• Sealing and Casing: Use durable, high-quality casings and properly seal the well to
prevent surface contaminants from entering. Concrete or bentonite seals are commonly
used around casings.

• Well Cap: Install a sanitary well cap that’s watertight to keep out insects, small animals,
and debris.

Preventing Contamination

• Limit Hazardous Activities Nearby: Avoid using chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers

within the vicinity of the well, as these can leach into the groundwater.

• Waste Management: Properly dispose of hazardous waste and chemicals like motor
oil, household cleaners, and paint.

• Backflow Prevention: Ensure that the well system has backflow preventers to stop
contaminated water from flowing back into the well.

Regular Testing and Monitoring

• Water Quality Testing: Test well water annually for contaminants like bacteria,
nitrates, pH, and heavy metals. It’s also essential to test after any flooding, repairs, or
noticeable changes in taste, color, or odor.

• Documentation and Records: Keep records of all well maintenance, repairs, and water
quality tests to identify trends and any recurring issues.

Managing Nearby Land Use

• Buffer Zones: Create buffer zones or protective perimeters around the well to shield it
from runoff and contaminants.

• Manage Runoff: Implement landscaping practices to divert surface runoff away from
the well.

Well Maintenance

• Routine Inspections: Regularly inspect the well system for signs of wear, damage, or
corrosion.

• Professional Assistance: Hire licensed well professionals to perform maintenance and

address any issues that may compromise water quality.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

Drinking water quality standards

Acceptability aspects

• Physical parameters :

(a) Turbidity : It is caused by particulate matter.

It interferes with disinfection and microbiological

determination.

• Guideline value is 5 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit).

(b) Color : It may be due to presence of colored organic

• matter, metals such as Fe and Mn or highly colored

• industrial wastes.

• Guideline value is 15 TCU (True Color Unit).

(c) Taste and odor : Originate from contamination by

• chemicals, biological sources and as a by-product of

• Water treatment.

• No guideline value.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

(d) Temperature : Cool water is more palatable.

• Low water temperature decreases efficiency of

• treatment process .

• High water temperature increases growth of micro

• organisms

Microbiological aspects

❖ Bacteriological aspects

❖ Coliform organisms

❖ Fecal streptococci

❖ Virological aspects

❖ Biological aspects

❖ Protozoa

❖ Helminths

❖ Free-living organisms

Bacteriological aspects

❖ Ideally drinking water should not contain any microorganism known to be pathogenic

❖ It should be free from bacteria indicative of fecal contamination

❖ Failure to provide protected water supply will expose the community to out breaks of
intestinal & other infectious diseases

❖ Those at great risk are infants, young children, sick & elderly.

Coliform organisms

Coliform is a type of bacteria that lives naturally in the intestines of all healthy humans and
warm-blooded animals, as well as in soil, plants, and water. Coliform in well water usually
comes from nearby fecal contamination.

❖ Primary indicator recommended for this purpose

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

❖ Include all aerobic & facultative anaerobic, gram-negative, non-sporing, motile

& non-motile rods

❖ Typical eg., fecal-E. coli & non fecal-Klebsiella aerogens

❖ Practically all coli forms should be assumed are of fecal origin unless a non-fecal origin
prove.

Water supply system

System components

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

❖ Water quality should not get deteriorated in the distribution pipes.

❖ It should be capable of supplying water at all the intended places with sufficient
pressure head.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

❖ It should be capable of supplying the requisite amount of water during fire fighting.

❖ The layout should be such that no consumer would be without water supply, during the
repair of any section of the system.

❖ All the distribution pipes should be preferably laid one metre away or above the sewer
lines.

❖ It should be fairly water-tight as to keep losses due to leakage to the minimum.

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, in general, 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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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 -

❖ Gravity system

❖ Pumping system

❖ 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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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 w.r.t ground it may be classified into

1. Surface reservoirs

2. Elevated reservoirs

Surface reservoirs

❖ These also called ground reservoir.

❖ 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.

❖ The side walls are designed to take up the pressure of the water, when the reservoir is
full and the earth pressure when it is empty.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

❖ The position of ground water table is also considered while designing these reservoirs.

❖ The floors of these reservoirs may constructed with R.C.C slab or square stone blocks
resting on columns.

❖ To obtain water tightness bitumen compounds are used at all construction joints.

❖ At the top of roof about 60cm thick earth layer is deposited and maintained green lawns
to protect the reservoir from cold and heat.

❖ For aeration of water and inspection, ventilation pipes and stairs are provided.

TYPES OF TANKS

R.C.C TANKS: R.C.C tanks are very popular because

1) They have long life
2) Very little maintenance
3) decent appearance

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

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

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

ESR

❖ 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.

Storage Capacity of Distribution Reservoirs

❖ The total storage capacity of a distribution reservoir is the summation of:

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan
RURAL WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION (21CV744)

❖ Balancing Storage: The quantity of water required to be stored in the reservoir for
equalising or balancing fluctuating demand against constant supply is known as the
balancing storage (or equalising or operating storage).

❖ Breakdown Storage: The breakdown storage or often called emergency storage is the
storage preserved in order to tide over the emergencies posed by the failure of pumps,
electricity, or any other mechanism driving the pumps.

❖ A value of about 25% of the total storage capacity of reservoirs, or 1.5 to 2 times of the
average hourly supply, may be considered as enough provision for accounting this
storage.

❖ Fire Storage: The third component of the total reservoir storage is the fire storage.

❖ This provision takes care of the requirements of water for extinguishing fires.

❖ A provision of 1 to 4 per person per day is sufficient to meet the requirement.

Mr. Krishna Swaroop C D, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MCE Hassan