Water

Distribution
System
D. Srihari
12071A0110
Dept. of civil Engineering

Introduction
A water distribution system consists of complex
interconnected pipes, service reservoirs and/or
pumps, which deliver water from the treatment
plant to the consumer.

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.
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

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.

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 supplied 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

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

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 are 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.

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.
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,

Under Ground Reservoir

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 preferred
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 of steel or RCC.
Now RCC is commonly preferred.

The accessories of ESR areInlet 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:
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

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.

When reserve storage is elevated,

amount of fire reserve may be
determined by
R= (F-P) T
Where R= Reserve storage (liters)
F= Fire demand, liters/min
P= Reserve fire pumping
capacity,
liters/min
T= Duration of the fire in
min

The total reservoir storage can finally

Materials Used
Joints:
End Cap Joint-

Tee Joint-

Strainer Joints

Reducer Joint
Cast Iron Bent Joint

Pipes:
PVC pipes
Concrete pipes
CPVC pipes
PEX pipes
Copper pipes

Thank You