BUILDING SERVICES

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The water that leaves treatment plant is of desired quality, but it is necessary to keep a
check on whether the same quality is maintained when the treated water is flowing
through the network of distribution systems. The water should also be supplied in a way
useful to the consumers.

General considerations of planning of distribution systems and its design are:-

CIRCULATION OF WATER

The layout of the distribution systems should ensure that there is free circulation of
water.
The number of dead ends should be minimum.
The few dead ends provided should be provided with hydrants to act as washouts.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF
WATER SUPPLY
CONTAMINATION BY SEWAGE
The water pipelines should be laid above the sewers at a vertical distance about 2
meters and the horizontal distance between the water pipes and sewers should be at
least 3 meters.
EARTH CUSHIONING
The mains laid under the roads should be provided with minimum earth cushioning
of 900 mm height from the top of mains.
At other places the cushioning may be 750mm

GRADIENTS
The gradients of the mains should be according to the natural contour of the ground.
The gradients provided should not rise above the hydraulic gradient line, so as to
maintain a positive pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF
WATER SUPPLY
LEAKAGE
The distribution system should be fairly watertight and the loss of water due to leakage
should be brought down to the minimum possible extent.

SAFETY FROM POLLUTION

The distribution system should be such that it does not contribute to pollution of water
flowing through it.

SANITATION
The sanitation of area through which the distribution system passes should be good
so as to avoid chances of pollution during repairs and replacements of pipelines.

UNSAFE CROSS CONNECTION

The system should not have any chances of unsafe cross connections from which there
are chances for contamination of water.
 METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION

Depending upon the topography of the country, any one of the three following three
methods may be adopted for distribution of water.
GRAVITY SYSTEM
This is the most reliable method of
distribution, but useful only when the
source of water is situated at a higher
level than the distribution area.
The water is conveyed through pipes
by gravity only.
In case of fire, motor pumps may be
used to develop high pressures for the
firefighting purposes.
II.GRAVITY AND PUMPING SYSTEM
The treated water is pumped and stored in an
elevated distribution reservoir.
The excess water during low consumption remains
in the elevated reservoir and supplied during the
peak period.
The pumps are usually worked at a constant rate
and this rate of pumping is so adjusted that the
excess quantity of water stored in reservoir during
low consumption is nearly equal to the extra
demand of water during the peak period.
III.PUMPING SYSTEM
The water is directly pumped into the mains leading to the consumers.
The number of pumps required in the system depend on demand of
water.
ADVANTAGE:-
In case of a fire, the pressures can be easily developed by operating
fire pumps of high capacity.
DISADVANTAGE:-
In case of power failure, the entire water distribution system of locality
is disturbed.
It requires constant attendance to check the working condition of
pumps all the times as sudden failure of pumps would lead to great
hardship.
 SYSTEM OF SUPPLY OF WATER

Based on DURATION OF SUPPLY:

CONTINUOUS SYSTEM CONTINUOUS SYSTEM

INTERMITTENT SYSTEM the water is supplied to consumers for
24 hours of the day.
Most ideal system
Disadvantage:-
Considerable wastage of water occurs,
if consumers do not possess civic sense
regarding the importance of treated
water.
 SYSTEM OF SUPPLY OF WATER
INTERMITTENT SYSTEM

The water is supplied during certain fixed hours of the day only, usually 3-4 hours in
morning and bout the same period in afternoon.
The working of the system is very simple. Distribution area is divided into several zones and
timings of each zone is so adjusted that good working pressures are maintained in each
zone.

Disadvantages:-
Great inconvenience caused if a fire breaks out at non-supply hours
System requires large number of valves for its working because they have to be properly
operated while closing or introducing the supply of water.
The consumers store water during non-supply period and it may get polluted due to
external contamination or even there is a tendency of wastage of treated or purified
water from consumers part when the next supply starts.
Supply of water for whole day is given during 6 – 8 hours ,which result in greater sizes of
water mains.
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES

DEAD END METHOD

GRID-IRON METHOD
CIRCULAR METHOD
RADIAL METHOD

Each method has its own advantages and

disadvantages and no locality adopts any one
method of distribution. The necessary combinations
of the above methods are usually made to suit the
local conditions of the area.
mains are taken.
The sub-mains again divide into several branch
lines from which service connections are given to
the consumers.
METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
ADVANTAGES:-
It is possible to work out accurately the discharge and pressure at
any point in the distribution system.
Cut-off valves required in this system of layout are comparatively
less in number.
Dimeter of pipe is designed for the population to be served, thus its
economical and cheap system.
The laying of pipes is simple.
DISADVANTAGES:-
During repairs large portion of distribution area is affected, thus
results in great inconvenience to the consumers of that area.
Due to multiple dead ends, there is no free circulation of water,
hence the chances of water to be polluted due to stagnation and
endanger public life.
Thus scour valves are provided at dead ends and stale water
removed periodically, which proves costly and regular
maintenance.
The water available for fire fighting will be limited in quantity as the
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
2.GRID-IRON SYSTEM/ INTERLACED SYSTEM/ RETICULATION SYSTEM

ADVANTAGES:-
In case of repairs, a very small portion of the distribution area is
affected.
There is free circulation of water, thus no chances of getting polluted
due to stagnation.
Water delivered at every point of distribution system with minimum
loss of head.
In case of fire, plenty of water is available for firefighting.
DISADVANTAGES:-
The cost of laying water pipes is more.
This system layout requires longer lengths of pipes
The procedure for calculating the sizes of pipes and for working out THIS SYSTEM IS MORE SUITABLE
pressures at various points in the distribution system is laborious, FOR TOWNS HAVING WELL –
complicated and difficult. PLANNED ROADS AND STREETS
The valves required in this system are more in number.
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
2.GRID-IRON SYSTEM/ INTERLACED SYSTEM/ RETICULATION SYSTEM
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
3.CIRCULAR METHOD/RING SYSTEM
A ring of mains is formed around the
distribution area.

The distribution area is divided into

rectangular or circular blocks and water
mains are laid on the periphery of these
blocks.
ITS BEST SUITED FOR TOWNS HAVING WELL-
PLANNED ROADS AND STREETS.
 METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES

4.RADIAL METHOD
It’s the reverse of the ring method.
The water is taken from the mains and
pumped into the distribution reservoirs which
are situated at centers of different zones.
The water is then supplied through radially
laid pipes.
The radial method of layout gives quick
service and calculations for design of sizes of
pipes are simple.
ITS BEST SUITED FOR TOWNS HAVING ROADS
LAID RADIALLY.
METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
METHODS OF LAYOUT OF
DISTRIBUTION PIPES
Common types of fittings

1. ELBOW: The 60 degree pipe elbows are applied for

connecting pipes widely used in types of
An elbow is a pipe fitting installed chemicals, power plant, oil & gas industry, ship
between two lengths of pipe or building, petroleum industry etc.
tubing to allow a change of
direction, usually a 90° or 45° angle.
 2. TEE JOINT

A tee, is used to combine (or divide)

fluid flow. Tees can connect pipes of
different diameters or change the
direction of a pipe run, or both.
Available in a variety of materials,
sizes and finishes, they may also be
used to transport two-fluid mixtures.
Tees may be equal or unequal in size
of their three connections.
Bulding Services-1 (Water supply and sanitation)

COUPLING Union
A combination pipe union and reducer
A coupling connects two pipes to each fitting . A union is similar to a coupling,
other. There is no change in the direction except it is designed to allow quick and
of the two pipes. If the size of the pipe is convenient disconnection of pipes for
not the same, the fitting may be called a maintenance or fixture replacement.
reducing coupling or reducer, or an
adapter
A reducer is the component in a pipeline that
reduces the pipe size from a larger to a smaller
bore. The length of the reduction is usually
equal to the average of the larger and smaller
pipe diameters. Reducers are usually
concentric but eccentric are used when
required to maintain the same top or bottom of
pipe level.
Cross is also known as four-way pipe fitting. A
cross has one inlet and three outlets (or vice The cap covers the end of a pipe. Pipe
versa). Generally, crosses are not used in caps are used at the dead end of the
process piping to transport fluid. But forged piping system. It is also used in piping
crosses are common in the fire water sprinkler headers for future connections.
line.
 VALVES

Valve Functions
A valve is a device that regulates,
directs or controls the flow of a fluid by Stopping and starting fluid flow.
opening, closing, or partially Varying (throttling) the amount of fluid flow.
obstructing various passageways. Controlling the direction of fluid flow.
Regulating downstream system or process
DIFFERENT TYPES OF VALVES pressure. Relieving component or piping
over pressure.
SLUICE VALVE OR STOP VALVE
CHECK VALVE OR REFLUX VALVE
AIR RELIEF VALVE OR FLOAT VALVE
DRAIN VALVE OR BLOWOFF
SCOUR VALVE
CUT OFF VALVE
SLUICE VALVE OR STOP VALVE OR GATE VALVE
THESE ARE SOME TIMES KNOWN AS GATE VALVE.
MOST COMMENLY USED IN DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY
THIS IS GENERALLY USED TO CONTROL THE FLOW IN PIPE LINE.
AT TIMES OF REPAIR, THIS VALVE CLOSES THE SUPPLY OF WATER
BEYOND THE VALVE IN PIPELINE

THESE VALVES ARE CHEAPER. OFFER LESS RESISTANCE TO

FLOW OF WATER THAN OTHER VALVES
THEY ARE PROVIDED IN STRAIGHT PIPELINES AT 150-200 M
INTERVALS
THE ENTIRE DISTRIBUTION IS DIVIDED INTO BLOCKS BY
PROVIDING THESE VALVES AT APPROPIATE PLACES
 FLOAT VALVE OR BALL VALVE

A float valve is used to shut off the

flow of liquids, normally water, at
a pre-determined level.
Generally provided in water tanks
like sump, OHT and cistern
SCOUR VALVE

THESE ARE SIMILAR TO BLOW OFF

VALVES AND OPERATED BY HAND.
IT IS PLACED AT DEAD ENDS OR
LOWEST POINT IN THE MAINS.
THEY ARE PROVIDED TO REMOVE THE
SAND AND SILT DEPOSITED IN THE CUT OFF VALVE OR PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES
PIPELINE.
THESE ARE ALSO KNOWN AS AUTOMATIC CUT
OFF VALAVE OR SAFETY VALVES.
THESE ARE LOCATED AT THOSE POINTS WHERE
PRESSURE IS LIKELY YO BE MAXIMUM.
WHEN THE LINE PRESSURE INCREASES ABOVE THE
PRESET VALVE, THE VALVE OPERATES
AUTOMATICALLY AND THE PRESSURE IS REDUCED.
CHECK VALVES OR REFLUX VALVES

THESE ARE ALSO CALLED AS NON RETURN

VALVES. A REFLUX VALVE IS AN AUTOMATIC
DEVICE WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO GO IN ONE
DIRECTION ONLY.
THEY ARE PLACED IN WATER PIPES WHICH
OBTAIN DIRECTLY FROM THE PUMP.WHEN THE
PUMP IS STOPPED THE WATER IN THE PIPE LINE
DOES NOT RUSH BACK AND DAMAGE THE
PUMP.
DRAIN VALVES OR BLOW OFFS VALVES

THESE ARE ALSO CALLED AS WASH OUT

VALVES THEY ARE PROVIDED AT ALL DEAD
ENDS AND DEPRESSION OF PIPELINES TO
DRAIN OUT THE WASTE WATER.
THESE ARE ORDINARY VALVES OPERATED BY
HAND.
 BIB COCKS TAPS OR FACUETS

These are the water taps which

are attached at the end of
water pipes and from which the
consumers obtain water. Bib
cocks are available of various
patterns.
1. WALL MOUNTED TAPS:

Wall mounted taps reach

out to fill the bathtub or
basin and are mounted
to the wall. This is a more
contemporary style and
makes it easy to clean.
1. PILLAR Taps:

pillar taps are possibly the most common style of tap. These
are individual taps with their own valves to control the flow
of water. They fit into the bath and basins that have two tap
holes, one for the hot and one for the cold tap.
1. MIXER TAPS:
1. Floor Mounted Taps:
1. Long body taps
Angle cock
Swimming pools come in all shapes and
sizes, but nearly all of them, from the
backyard personal pool to the water park
wave pool, work in the same basic way.

They use a combination of filtration and

chemical treatment to continually clean a
large volume of water.

A typical swimming pool needs seven major

components:
A basin A motorized pump PVC plastic plumbing connecting all of
A water filter A chemical feeder these elements
Drains Returns
During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system
through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool
and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool.

The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in

the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.
Most of the dirt and debris that sinks exits the pool through
these drains.

The skimmers draw water the same way as the main drains,
but they suck only from the very top of the pool i.e floating
matter.

The water flows through the strainer basket, which catches

any larger debris, such as twigs and leaves.
The water is pumped through the filtering system and back out to returns, inlet valves
around the side of the pool.

Most swimming pools also have a couple of vacuum ports, which are only used in
pool cleaning.

These ports attach to pool vacuum cleaners, which work something like ordinary
vacuum cleaners except that they suck water instead of air.

After making its way into the various drains, the water flows on to the filtering stage.

The heart of the pool system is the water pump.

The filters in this system are high-rate sand filters. Sand filters consist of a large tank,
made of fiberglass, concrete or metal, containing a thick bed of special-grade sand,
which has a squarish shape
The pump and filter system is also connected to a well or municipal water line so fresh
water can be added to the pool. This is necessary to replace water lost to
evaporation, backwashing and "splash-out“.

The recommend pool pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.