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Components of Water Distribution System

The major components of a water distribution system include pipelines, pumps, and valves. Pipelines consist of transmission mains, distribution mains, and service lines to convey water from treatment plants to customers. Pumps are used to pressurize and transport water through the distribution system. Valves such as shutoff and control valves regulate water flow and pressure and isolate parts of the system for maintenance. These components work together to store and reliably deliver drinking water to homes and businesses.

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TRISHIA JOYCE
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© © All Rights Reserved
236 views

Components of Water Distribution System

The major components of a water distribution system include pipelines, pumps, and valves. Pipelines consist of transmission mains, distribution mains, and service lines to convey water from treatment plants to customers. Pumps are used to pressurize and transport water through the distribution system. Valves such as shutoff and control valves regulate water flow and pressure and isolate parts of the system for maintenance. These components work together to store and reliably deliver drinking water to homes and businesses.

Uploaded by

TRISHIA JOYCE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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CE PRO 1: WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

COMPONENTS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The water distribution system as defined


by the American Water Works Association
(AWWA) is the "all water utility components for
the distribution of finished or potable water to
customers or other users through gravity
storage feed or pumps through distribution
pumping networks, including distribution
equalizing storage." This system consists of
pipes also known as transmission lines for
delivering water, pumps for pumping and
maintaining pressure, valves to control water
flow, reservoirs and elevated tanks for water
storage, meters to measure the quantity of
water supply, and fire hydrants to provide
sufficient pressurized water for firefighting are
the major components of the distribution system,
or infrastructure.

TRISHIA JOYCE C. MARAYA


BSCE 4A
CE PRO 1
What Have I Learned
Topic: Components of Water Distribution System

PIPELINES
The network of pipes that convey water from a source, such as a
treatment plant, to the customer is often classified by in decreasing
order according to size as transmission or trunk mains, distribution mains,
service lines, and premise plumbing.

Transmission or trunk mains are often used to transport huge volumes


of water across long distances, such as from a treatment plant to a
distribution system storage tank.

Distribution mains often have a lower diameter than transmission mains


and run parallel to city roadways. Water is transported from the
distribution main to the building or property supplied through service
lines.

Service lines may be any size based on the amount of water necessary
to service a specific customer and are designed to maintain the utility's
design pressure at the customer's property for the intended flows.

It is expected from the pipes to be able to deliver the amount of water


needed, withstand all external and internal forces, and last a long time.
In the present, materials commonly used are ductile iron, pre-stressed
concrete, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), reinforced plastic, and steel to
achieve these goals.
CE PRO 1
What Have I Learned
Topic: Components of Water Distribution System

PUMPS
A pump is a device that transports, lifts, or increases liquid
pressure. Pumps pressurize water from the source to the
treatment facility and then to the consumers. Pumps are
usually cast iron or steel. Most distribution pumps are
centrifugal, meaning that water enters the pump via an intake
pipe and is expelled outward between vanes into the output
tube. Pumping power is one of the key running expenditures
for a water supply. When gravity cannot provide water to
the distribution system at adequate pressure to fulfill all
needs, pumping facilities and equipment are necessary.
Pumps raise water from a lower elevation to a point where it
can flow naturally or overcome hydrostatic head. Each
pumping application is distinct and requires unique design
and pump selection. To properly run a pump, the operator
or maintenance operator must understand fundamental
hydraulic concepts. Operators should also know how to do
simple pumping calculations to optimize different unit
operations.
CE PRO 1
What Have I Learned
Topic: Components of Water Distribution System

VALVES
Isolation valves (shutoff valves) and control valves are the two
main valve types in a water distribution system. Shut off valves
(usually gate or butterfly valves) are used to separate parts for
maintenance and repair, causing little disruption to adjacent
service areas. Valve maintenance is one of a utility's essential
tasks. They regulate the flow or pressure in a distribution system.
They are generally sized according on maximum and lowest
flow rates, pressure differentials upstream and downstream, and
flow velocities. Flow-control valves, throttling valves, float
valves, and check valves are examples of control valves. Most
valves are steel or cast iron, however those used in premise
plumbing for quick shut-offs during repairs are generally brass.
They are more widely spread in transmission mains than smaller-
diameter pipes. Blowers and air-release/vacuum valves are
used to cleanse water mains and discharge entrained air. Every
low position on a transmission main has a blow-off valve, and
every high point has an air release/vacuum valve. Blow-off
valves are sometimes situated near dead ends where water,
rust, and debris collect. These areas must be monitored for
undetected sanitary or storm sewer connections.

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