Water Distribution Systems

Definition

A water distribution system is the physical works that deliver water from the water source to the
intended end point or user. It is designed to deliver sufficient water quantity and quality to meet the
requirements of the customer.

Typically, this is achieved by way of pumps and motors, watermains, service pipes, storage tanks or
reservoirs, and related equipment, in a closed system under pressure.

Some of the levels of service within a community include:

 sufficient water for domestic use within a home for cooking, cleaning, and drinking
 domestic use plus water available for fire protection
 domestic use plus commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural use

In some cases, hauling and delivering of water by tanker truck is required.

Pumps and Motors

Moving water from the source to where consumers will use it frequently requires a pump.

The type of pump depends on the type of water source (e.g., river intake versus well) and the pump
capacity must be sufficient to provide enough water to meet the needs of your customers.

Pumps, Generally Speaking

In theory, a pump and motor combination adds energy to the water, which in turn forces the water
through the pipes. A pump installation typically consists of a pump, electric motor, and controls. The
pump moves the water from its inlet to its outlet and a motor is attached to the pump providing the
energy to move the water. The controls automatically turn the pump on and off in response to the
demand for water. Some examples of control devices are switches that respond to water level and
pressure.

Common Types of Water Pumps

Pump and motor combinations that are typical for small water systems include:

Jet Pump

Jet pumps utilize a suction pipe submerged in the water source to feed water to the pump, which, along
with the motor, is located above the water source in a dry location within the pumphouse. A foot valve
located on the suction pipe keeps the pump primed with water when not in use.

Submersible Well Pump

A submersible well pump and motor are suitable for installation in a deep well. The electric motor and
cables are sealed and therefore can operate underwater. The motor is located below the pump unit and
water enters the lower portion of the pump and flows through its top end onward to the discharge
piping.
Verticle Turbine Pump

A vertical turbine pump may be used in a shallow well and the pump unit is submerged in the water.
The electric motor is not suitable for submerging in water and therefore is located at the main floor
level of a pumphouse atop a discharge head.

Hand Pump

In some small systems hand pumps may be utilized. They are simple to operate and do not require
complex electrical or mechanical equipment. Hand pumps are limited in the quantity of water that they
are able to provide.

Choosing a Pump and Motor

Pump and motor ciombinations each have capacities to suit particular applications. Specifically, pumps
have different flow and pressure characteristics, and motors vary in horsepower, voltage, and amperage

A deep well, for instance, needs a submersible pump and motor combination that takes the depth of the
well into account.

*NB: It’s important to note that selection of pumping equipment may affect other system components
such as water treatment equipment.

Operating and Maintaining Pumps and Motors

Pumps and motors should be operated and maintained as specified by the manufacturer.

It’s a good idea to keep a supply of replacement parts for your pump and motor.

Water Pipe Systems

A water pipe system has construction requirements that must be met in order to maintain water quality.

Typically, water pipes are buried in the earth for:

 convenience
 frost protection
 prevention of physical damage
 restraint of the forces of internal pressure

Where pipes are not buried, they should be protected from thermal and physical damage by, for
example, suspending a pipe underneath a bridge at a river crossing.
Where pipes cross major highways or railways, further protection in the form of encasement by a larger
diameter protective pipe may be necessary.

The selection of materials for constructing a water pipe system should consider:

 working pressure
 surging pressure
 depth that pipe will be buried
 corrosiveness of soils
 earth-loading ground water
 accessibility
 proximity to other utilities
 potential sources of contamination, such as sewers

Buried pipes should be surrounded by compacted sand or gravel, or bedding, to protect the pipe from
damage during and after construction.

Water quality may deteriorate within a watermain and bacteria can flourish in pipes with:

 poor source water quality

 low flow
 dead ends

Dead ends can be avoided if the system layout includes looping. If system looping is not possible,
frequent watermain flushing may improve the water quality.

Pipes

Water pipes are used to move water from a water source or storage reservoir to the water user. They
can be:

 larger pipes; called watermains

 smaller pipes that provide water to individual users; called water services

Water in the pipes is pressurized, and the pipes are usually buried in the earth and located along
roadways.

200mm (8") Diameter PVC Pipe, Ready for Installation

Pipe Sizes

Pipes range in size from 13 mm (1/2 in) in diameter for water services to 600 mm (two ft) in diameter
for the larger watermains.Small water systems typically use water pipes that are 300 mm (1 ft ) in
diameter or smaller.Generally, the more water the system is required to deliver, the larger the pipe
size.However, a pipe that is too small can cause significant pressure loss in the system.

Pipe Materials

Historically, pipes have been created from wood (wood stave), cast iron, galvanized steel, and asbestos
cement.
Pipes today are commonly made from:

 polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

 ductile iron (DI)
 high density polyethylene (HDPE)

Smaller-diameter water services are usually manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
copper, or a variety of new composite materials.

Selection of materials is important and should take into consideration:

 working pressure
 pressure surging
 depth that pipe will be buried
 corrosive soils
 earth loading
 ground water
 accessibility
 proximity to other utilities
 potential sources of contamination, such as sewers

Related Equipment

Related Water Pipe Equipment

A water distribution system may include equipment such as:

 valves
 water services (smaller pipes, as opposed to watermains)
 various pipe fittings
 hydrants

Valves

Valves are used to control the movement of water within a water system.

Specialized valves are used to:

 reduce pressure
 release trapped air
 reduce the effects of water hammer

Valves can be operated manually or automatically.

Some are suitable for burying directly in the earth, while others that must be accessible for operation
and servicing will have to be put in valve chambers.

Curb Stop; Water Service Shutoff in a Valve Chamber

Hydrants

Hydrants are devices that allow large quantities of water to be discharged from a water system for fire
protection, or watermain flushing. Common types include yard hydrants, blow-offs, or fire hydrants.
Typical Fire Hydrant

Water Services

Water service connections are the small-diameter pipes that join a customer to the larger watermain.
The hookup is made to the user’s service pipe by a connection to the watermain; usually a small fitting
inserted into the pipe or into a saddle or tee.

Additionally, an isolation valve, known as a curb stop, is located between the watermain and the home
in order to stop flow in the event that repairs are required. Each home should have an isolation valve
located within the building.

Pipe Fittings

Pipe fittings are generally used to:

 join two different pipe materials

 join two different pipe sizes together
 change direction of pipe alignment (vertically and horizontally
 terminate the end of a pipe.

Thrust restraint may be required for pipe fittings to withstand the forces of changing water direction or
pressure.

Some common fittings are:

 tees, wyes, crosses, and bends

 reducers
 couplers
 end caps
 restraints

Fittings may require glue-type solvents, pipe threads, or compressed rubber gaskets for joining,
depending on the specific application and pipe material.

Operation and Maintenance for Pipe Systems

Pipe systems must be correctly operated and maintained in order to deliver good-quality water and to
ensure system capacity and reliability.

Operation and maintenance duties may include:

 watermain flushing
 equipment exercising and inspection
 leak detection and repairs
 replacement

Watermain Flushing
Pipe systems can accumulate debris that can cause water quality to deteriorate and allow bacteria to
grow. Watermain flushing is used to discharge debris or contaminants. Flushing moves water at a high
flow rate through a pipe network. In extreme cases, scouring or swabbing, commonly known as
pigging, may be required to remove stubborn debris.

Water is flushed in one direction, moving it through the system from one end to another without
reintroducing debris-laden water into parts of the system already flushed. Fire hydrants and blow-offs
are used to discharge water from the system during flushing.

*NB: A water system operator should develop a standard operating procedure that includes public
notification when flushing.

When to Flush

Flushing should be included in an annual maintenance schedule. More frequent flushing may be
required for seasonal issues or unique events such as contamination, breaks, or system repairs. Avoid
flushing during cold weather to prevent ice buildup or freezing of hydrants.

Water Loss and Leak Detection

Water loss may result from one or several of these factors:

 leaking pipes
 theft
 watermain flushing

Most water loss is due to pipe leaks which can be located through leak detection procedures.

Testing for Leaks

One good method for detecting leaks is hydrostatic testing. This requires isolating a section of pipe and
then pressurizing it to ensure that new or repaired work does not leak.

* NB: Leaking pipes can allow contaminants that can cause health problems to enter the water system.
This is even more likely if leaking pipes become depressurized. An example of this is a leaking water
pipe that is being drained. Contaminated ground water can be pulled in through a crack and cause the
system to be contaminated when it is returned to service.

Pipe Repairs

During pipe repairs, consider possible operational issues and health effects. For instance, any new pipes
and fittings should be disinfected prior to use.

Water Storage

Most water systems contain some means of storing water prior to customer use. The two main reasons
for storing water are to balance the peak daily demand for water and to maintain pressure in the
distribution system. A reservoir is a common water storage facility that holds a large volume of water.

Reservoir Size

Reservoirs are sized to meet three general requirements:

 daily balancing of demand

  emergency storage
 fire protection needs

Water stored in a reservoir ensures a system has enough water to maintain water flow to customers
during the periods of high usage on any given day. The demand may be greater than the capacity of the
water supply system alone, and a pump may not be able to keep up.

Water may also be stored for an emergency, such as a watermain break or a power failure when the
water supply works may not be operational. Further, some water systems are designed to include a
volume of available water to enable fire departments to fight fires.

Location of Water Reservoirs

Typically, a water reservoir is located close to the water supply and distribution pipes and elevated
above the community in order to provide sufficient water pressure. In hilly or mountainous
communities, it may be possible to locate a reservoir on a slope. In areas of flat land, a water tower or
standpipe structure can provide enough elevation to create water pressure.

Calculating elevation for water pressure

Water pressure results from the weight of water (calculated from its depth) and its elevation above the
user.

Every 2.31 feet of water depth equates to one pound per square inch (psi) of water pressure.

Therefore, to maintain water pressure of 70 psi at a house, the height of water in the reservoir would
have to be 162 feet above the building.

2.31' x 70 psi = 161.7'

Normal domestic water pressure ranges from 50 to 80 psi. This requires that a reservoir be elevated
somewhere between 100 and 200 feet above the user. Where it is not possible to use one of the
previous storage methods, water may be stored in a pressurized tank known as a hydropneumatic
pressure tank. Water may also be stored in underground tanks and include a booster pump system for
adequate water pressure.

Related Water Storage Equipment

Some related water storage equipment:

 vent pipes
 valves
 access hatches
 ladders
 overflow pipes
 drain pipes

Reservoirs

Water reservoirs are made from various materials and come in sizes and shapes to suit specific
situations. Reservoirs are typically identified as:

 steel reservoirs
 reinforced concrete reservoirs
 impoundment reservoirs
  synthetic material tanks (polyethylene and fibreglass)

Steel Reservoir Tank

Pressure is exerted from the inside of a reservoir by the weight of the water; therefore, steel reservoirs
tend to be cylindrical in shape.

Reinforced Concrete Reservoir

Reinforced concrete reservoirs can be designed for cylindrical, rectangular, or box shapes.

Impoundment Reservoir Lined and Covered in Plastic

Impoundment reservoirs are formed from the earth, which resists the pressure with sloped sides.

Synthetic Water Storage Tank: Plastic

Hydropneumatic Tanks

Hydropneumatic pressure tanks contain compressed air to maintain water pressure in the distribution
system so that the need for an elevated tank is eliminated. As they offer limited storage capacity, they
are most often found in systems serving small communities or resorts.

Hydropneumatic Pressure Tank and Controls

The system generally consists of a tank that can be pressurized, a water pump, and an air pump. Water
from the water source is maintained in the lower two-thirds of the tank and air is fed into the upper
third of the tank under pressure from the air pump. The system has automated controls to regulate the
volumes of air and water in the tank.