Objectives:

To understand different types of water distribution systems To understand the design and modeling of water distribution systems

3. Collection and distribution of water Intakes Surface sources of water are subject to wide variation in flow, quality, and temperature, and intake structures must be designed so that the required flow can be withdrawn despite of these natural fluctuations. Methods of distribution Water may be distributed by - gravity distribution - when the source of supply is located substantially above the level of the city. - Pumping without storage - is the least desirable method of distribution since it provides no reserve flow in the event of power failure and pressures will fluctuate substantially with variations in flow. - Pumping with storage - is the most common method of distribution. Water is pumped at a more or less uniform rate, with flow in excess of consumption being stored in elevated storage tanks distributed throughout the system. Storage Water is stored to equalize pumping rates in the short term, to equalize supply and demand in the long term, and to furnish water during emergencies such as fires and loss of pumping capacity. Elevated storage may be provided by earthern, steel or concrete reservoirs located on high ground or by standpipes or tanks raised above the ground surface. The capacity of the elevated storage tanks depends upon the flow variations expected in the system. Equalizing of the pumping rate, that is provision of sufficient capacity to permit pumping at a constant rate, normally requires the storage equal to 15 to 30% of the maximum daily use. Flow estimation Design of a water distribution system requires that the flows to each section of the community be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Pressure required The pressure in municipal distribution systems ranges from 150 to 300 Kpa in residential districts with structures of four stories or less to 400 to 500 Kpa in commercial districts. The pipe system The network of pipes which makes up the distribution system may be subdivided into primary or arterial lines, secondary lines and small distribution mains.

The primary or arterial mains from basic structure of the system and carry flow from the pumping station to and from elevated storage tanks and to the various districts of the cities. The secondary lines from smaller loops within the primary mains and run from one primary line to another. The small distribution mains form a grid over the entire service area - supplying water to every user and to the fire hydrant. Velocities at maximum flow, including fire flow, normally do not exceed 1m/s with an upper limit of 2m/s, which may occur in the immediate vicinity of large fires. The size of small distribution mains is seldom less than 150mm (6in) with cross mains located at intervals of not more than 180mm (600ft). In high-value districts the minimum size is 200mm (8in) with cross mains at the same maximum spacing. Major streets are provided with lines not less than 305mm (12in) in diameter. Lines which provide only domestic flow may be as small as 100mm (4in) but should not exceed 400m (1300ft) in length if dead-ended or 600m (2000ft) if connected to the system at both ends. Lines as small as 50 and 75mm (2and 3in) are sometimes used in small communities. The length of such lines should not exceed 100m (300ft) if dead end and 200m (600ft) if connected at both ends. Dead ends should be avoided whenever possible, since the supply is less certain and the lack of flow in such lines may contribute to water quality problems. Design of water distribution system The detailed design of a water distribution system is affected by local topography, existing and expected population densities, and commercial and industrial demand. First, the flow must be disaggregated to individual subareas of the system. Next, a system of interlocking loops must be laid out as described in the pipe system. The disaggregated flows are then assigned to the various nodes of the system. The design then involves determination of the arterials, secondary lines, and small distribution mains required to ensure that the pressures and velocities desired in the system are maintained under a variety of design flow conditions. These design conditions are based on the maximum daily flow rate plus one or more fires, depending on the size of the community. The usual engineering approach to design to looped pipe systems involves layout of the network, assignment of estimated pipe sizes, and calculation of resulting flows and head losses. The pipe sizes are then adjusted as necessary to ensure that the pressures at the various nodes and velocities in the various pipes meet the criteria established for the community.