DHANALAKSHMI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

EN8491 - WATER SUPPLY ENGINEERING
Unit I: SOURCES OF WATER
Part- A (2 marks)
1. What are the methods of population forecasting?
 Arithmetic increase method
 Geometric increase method
 Method of varying increment (or) Incremental increase method
 Decreasing rate of growth method
 Simple graphical method
2. Define - design period
The future period for which a provision is mode in the water supply scheme is known as design period.
3. What are the factors governing the design period?
The factors governing design period are,
 Design period should not exceed the life period of the structure.
 If the funds are not in a sufficient, the design period as to be decreased.
 The rate of interest on borrowing and the additional money invested.
4. What are various type of water demand?
 Domestic water demand
 Industrial
 Institution and commercial
 Demand for public use
 Fire demands
5. What are the various types of water available on the earth?
Surface sources such as
 ponds and lakes
 Stream and rivers
 Storage reservoirs
 Ocean.
Sub surface sources
 Spring
 Infiltration galleries
 Infiltration wells
 Wells and tube wells
6. What is hydrologic cycle?
Water is lost to the atmosphere as vapor from the earth, which is then precipitated back in the form of
rain, snow, hail dew, sleet or frost etc. This process is known as hydrologic cycle.

1
7. What are rivers? What are the types of river?
Rivers are the most important sources of water for public water supply schemes. Rivers are of two
types, they are
 Perennial rivers.
 Non perennial rivers.
8. What is jack well?
The various infiltration wells are connected by porous pipes to a sump well called jack well.
9. What are springs?
The natural out flow of ground water at the earth surface is called as springs.
10. What are the types of springs?
 Gravity springs.
 Surface springs.
 Artesian springs.
11. What are artesian springs?
The pervious layer which contains water combined between two impervious layers are called artesian
springs.
12. What are the different types of wells?
 Open wells
 Shallow wells.
 Deep wells.
 Tube wells.
13. What are the factors governing the selection of a particular source of water?
The factors governing are as follows
 The quantity of available water
 The quality of available water
 Distance of the source of supply
 General topography of the intervening area
 Elevation of the source of supply.
14. What are the factors affecting per capita demand?
 Climatic condition.
 Habit of people.
 Size of city.
 Cost of water.
 Industry
15. What are the factors governing design period?
Design period should not exceed the life period of structure.
 If the funds are not in the sufficient the design period should has to be decreased.
 The rate of interest is less for the borrowing funds.
 The of population increases due to industries and commercial establishment.
16. What are the main objectives of treating water?
 To remove colour, dissolved gases, and murkiness of water
 To remove objectionable tastes and odour
2
  To remove disease producing micro-organism to provide safe drinking water
 To remove hardness of water
 To make water suitable for many industrial purposes brewing, dyeing and steam generation
17. Enumerate the components of a water supply scheme.
Collection works, Treatment works, Transmission works, Distribution works
18. State the Purposes of carrying out water quality characterization.
 To identify physical, chemical and biological characteristic nature of water
 To analyse the water quality in comparison with drinking water standards
 To identify water quality for recommendation of treatment methods
 To identify pollution levels in water for protecting water sources
19. What are the assumptions in an incremental increase method to forecast population?
Growth rate is assumed to be progressively increasing or decreasing, depending upon whether the
average of the incremental increases in the past is positive or negative. The population for a future
decade is worked out by adding the mean arithmetic increase to the last known population as in the
arithmetic increase method and to this is added the average of incremental increases, once for first
decade, twice for second and so on.
Pn = P+nI + (n (n+1)/2)*r
20. What is the objective of water supply scheme?
 To supply safe and wholesome water to consumers
 To supply water in adequate quantity
 To make water easily available for encouraging personal and household cleanliness.
21. Distinguish carbonate and non-carbonate hardness?
Carbonate hardness Non- carbonate hardness
Caused by carbonate and bicarbonate Caused by sulphates and chlorides of calcium
salts of calcium and magnesium and magnesium salts
Causes temporary hardness Causes permanent hardness
Removed by heating and excess lime Removed by special water softening methods
treatment

PART B
1. Explain the laboratory procedure to determine chlorides , turbidity, sulphates and odour.
2. Explain the factors a effecting the per capita demand of a town.
3. Derive an expression for determining the discharge from an unconfined aquifer under steady flow
conditions.
4. The population of 5 decades from 1930 to 1970 is given in table. Find out the population after one,
two and three decades beyond the last known decade by any 3 methods?

Census year 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970

Population 25000 28000 34000 42000 47000

3
5. What are the factors to be considered in the selection of source for a water supply scheme? How does the
quality of ground water differ from surface water?
6. Describe the different sources of water and their characteristics with respect to Turbidity, Hardness, Chloride
and Microbiology.
7. Prepare a list of factors which are to be considered in the selection of source for a water supply scheme?
How does the quality of ground water differ from surface water?
8. Write the following:
(a) Role of environmental engineers in water supply projects.
(b) Sustainable development
9. Summarize various sources of water and give a brief account of the characteristics of water and
state their environmental significance.
10. The population of a town as per part census records is given below for the years 1951 to 2001.
Calculate the population in the years 2026 and 2041 respectively using the following methods.
(i) Arithmetical increase method
(ii) Geometrical increase method
(iii) Incremental increase method
Census year 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
Population 44487 62356 78538 98861 117545 133582

4
 UNIT II: CONVEYANCE FROM THE SOURCE

1. What are various type pressure pipes?

 Cast iron pipes
 Steel pipes
 Rick pipes
 Home steel pipes
 Vitrified clay pipes
 Asbestos cement pipes
 Miscellaneous type of pipes.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cast iron pipes?
Advantages:
 Moderate in cost
 Easy to join
 Strong and durable
 Corrosion resistant
Disadvantage:
 They cannot be used for high pressures generally not used for pressures above 7kg/km
 When large they are heavy and uneconomical.
 They are likely to break during transportation or while making connection.
3. List the types of pipe joint.
 Socket and spigot joint
 Flanged joint
 Mechanical joint called dresser coupling
 Flexible joints
 Expansion joints
4. How the corrosion of metal pipes is reduced?
The corrosion of metal pipes can be reduced by following method
 Protective coating
 Selecting proper pipe material
 Quality of water
 Cathodic protection.
5. What are the factors governing location of intake?
 Intake structures are nearer to the treatment.
 Intake structures must never be located near the disposal of water.
 Intake structures should never be located near the navigation channel.
 There should be sufficient scope for future expansion.
6. What are the types of intake?
 Simple submerge intake.
 Simple concrete blocks.
 Rock fill timber blocks.

5
  Intake structures
 Wet intake
 Dry intake
7. What are vitrified clay pipes?
They are not generally used as pressure pipe for carrying because they are weak in tension.
They are extensively used for carrying sewage and drainage at partial depth.
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of RCC pipes?
Advantages:
They can resist excessive compressive load and do not collapse under normal vacuums.
They are not corroded from inside by normal portable water.
Disadvantages:
By means of acid they are corroded.
They cannot with stand very high pressure.
9. What are tube wells?
Tube wells which a long pipe or a tube is bored or drilled deep in to the ground.
10. What are the various methods of purification of water?
The various methods of purification of water are,
 Screening
 Plain sedimentation
 Sedimentation aided with coagulation
 Filteration
 Disinfection.
 Aeration.
 softening
11. What are the two important types of conduit depending upon characteristics of flow?
 Gravity conduits
 Pressure conduits
12. What are the different pipe materials which are used for water conveyance?
Cast iron, wrought iron, galvanized iron, steel, cement concrete, asbestos, plastic, lead, copper,
wood
13. What are the advantages expected in using pressure conduits instead of gravity conduits?
 Pressure conduits may be constructed at any elevation of hydraulic gradient
 Location, construction and maintenance are easy and costs low
 Direct route connections are possible
 Pipes for low and high pressure can be designed economically
14. What is meant by pipe appurtenances and mention their role?
Pipe appurtenances are components attached in pipe line which aid in proper functioning of pipe
network. Role of appurtenances are ceasing, controlling, diversion and regulating flows through the
pipe network. Appurtenances are valves, tees, bends, crosses etc.
15. List the factors controlling the choice of materials for water conduits?
 Chemical characteristics of water and degree of resistance to acid, base, solvents.
 Resistance to scour and flow (friction coefficient).
6
  External forces and internal pressures
16. Mention the situation in which pumps will be connected in (a) series (b) parallel
Pumps in series
 When high head is required for water supply
 When the area of water supply is steep sloped or undulated
 When the intake is located at low lying area
Pumps in parallel
 When more quantity of discharge is required
 To have a spare pumping system when one pump is under repair
 When water supply area is relatively flat
17. Brief the function of intake structure?
 The main function of intakes is to provide highest quality of water from source.
 To protect pipes and pumps from damaging or clogging by wave action, floating bodies and
submerged aquatic lives
 To help in safely withdrawing water from the source over predetermined pool levels and then to
discharge this water into the withdrawal conduit
 Intake should be operated with less cost and maintenance
18. What is the difference between system curve and pump curve?

System Head Curve Pump Head Curve

The system head curve is the sum of the static The pump curve describes the relation
head and the friction losses that have to be between flow rate and head for the
overcome in order to pump liquid into the actual pump.
process.
The static head does not vary with the flow rate Increasing the impeller diameter or
and it is only function of elevation or back speed increases the head and flow rate
pressure against which the pump is operating capacity
19. What are the types of intake according to their position?
 Submerged Intake
 Exposed Intake
20. How will you calculate total head in the design of pumps for water supply schemes?
To calculate head accurately we must calculate the total head on both the suction and discharge
sides of the pump along with friction head and surface pressure head
System head = total discharge head - total suction head
H = hd - hs
The total discharge head is made from three separate heads:
hd = hsd + hpd + hfd
hd = total discharge head
hsd = discharge static head
hpd = discharge surface pressure head
hfd = discharge friction head
The total suction head also consists of three separate heads
7
 hs = hss + hps - hfs
hs = total suction head
hss = suction static head
hps = suction surface pressure head
hfs = suction friction head

PART – B
1. Explain the functioning of a jet pump with neat sketch.
2. Explain the causes, effects and prevention of pipe corrosion in detail.
3. What is intake structure? Explain with neat sketch, the various type of intake structures based on
sources
4. In a water supply scheme to be designed for serving a population of 4 lakhs, the storage reservoir is
situated at 8 km away from the city and the loss of head from source to city is 16 meters. Calculate the
size of supply main by using Weisbach formula as well as Hazen’s formula assuming a maximum daily
demand of 180 litres per day per person and half of the daily supply to be pumped in 8 hours. Assume
the coefficient of friction for the pipe material as 0.012 in Weisbach formula C H= 130 in Hazen’s
formula.
5. Explain the factors to be considered for selection of pumps.
6. List the properties of good pipe material.
7. What are the basic requirements of a pipe joint? Describe the various pipe joints with neat sketches.
8. Illustrate the different types of pipe appurtenances used in water supply project
9. Describe the various joints used in the pipeline construction.
10. List out the important considerations which govern the selection of site of an intake structure?

8
 UNIT –III: WATER TREATMENT

1. Define - detention period

Detention period of settling tank may be defined as the average theoretical time required for the water
to flow through tank length.
2. Distinguish between coagulation and flocculation.
Coagulation involves the addition of chemicals (coagulants) during relatively intense mixing to destabilize
naturally occurring particles and macromolecules and/or to precipitate additional particles.
In flocculation, a period of less intense mixing is used to promote the aggregation of destabilized particles
into larger flocs that can be removed subsequently by sedimentation and/or filtration.
3. Define - filtration
The process of passing the water through the beds of such granular materials is known as filtration.
The two types of filters are,
 Slow sand gravity filter.
 Rapid sand gravity filter.
4. What is schmutzdecke or dirty skin?
The harmless compound so formed, generally form a layer on the top which is called schmutzdecke or
dirty skin. The layer helps in absorbing and straining out the impurities.
5. Define - uniform coefficient
It is defined as the ratio of the sieve size in mm through which 60% of the samples of sand will pass, to
the effective size of the sand.
6. Differentiate disinfection and sterilization.
Disinfection is the process of eliminating or reducing harmful microorganisms from inanimate objects
and surfaces, sterilization is the process of killing all microorganisms.
7. Define – break point chlorination
The point at which the disinfection demand has been met, or all undesirable contaminants in the pool
have been oxidized.
8. What are the tests to be done to find the residual chlorine in water?
 Orthotolidine test
 D.P.D test
 Chlorotex test
 Starch Iodide test
9. Define - alkalinity
It is defined as the quantity of ions in water that will react to neutralize the hydrogen ion. It will thus
represent the ability of water to neutralize acid.
10. What is permutit?
The most common artificial zeolite is a white colored substance called permutit manufactured from
feldspar, kaolin, clay, and soda.
11. What are the methods of removing permanent hardness?
The methods removing permanent hardness are,
 Lime soda process.
 Base exchange process called zeolite process.

9
  Demineralization.
12. How are aeration water carried out?
Aeration water are carried out as follows,
 By using spray nozzles.
 By permitting water to trickle over the cascades.
 By air diffusion.
 By using trickling beds.
13. Define – fluoridation
The process of adding fluoride compounds in excess is called as the fluoridation.
14. What are the methods ofdesalination?
The methods of desalination are,
 Desalination by evaporation &distillation.
 Electro dialysis method.
 Reverse osmosis method.
 Freezing process.
 Solar distribution method.
 Other method.
15. Differentiate between unit operations and unit process in context of water treatment?

Unit operations Unit process

Unit operations are primary treatment of water
which uses physical forces to create the
desirable changes during water treatment
Unit operations causes physical change to
the water to be treated
Unit operations are mixing, agitating, aeration,
absorption, membrane separation, distillation,
sedimentation and filtration
Unit processes are secondary treatment of water
which uses chemicals to get desirable changes
during water treatment
Unit process causes chemical changes to the water
treated
Unit processes are oxidation, nitrification,
coagulation, chlorination and disinfection

16. What is the significance of velocity gradient in flash mixer?

 Velocity gradient determines how much the water is agitated in the flash mixer
 Velocity gradient determines how much energy is used to operate the flash mixer
 Velocity gradient defines rate of change of velocity per unit distance normal to a section
17. State stokes equation for finding settling velocity of particles?
vs = g d (G-1) 18v
2

vs = velocity of particle settling

g = acceleration due to gravity
d = diameter of the particle
G = specific gravity of the particle
v = kinematic viscosity of particle
18. On what factors does the dose of coagulants depend?

10
 Temperature, turbidity, colour, pH-value, alkalinity, nature of coagulant, intensity and duration of
stirring during flash mixing and flocculation
19. What are the factors influencing the settling of a particle?
 The velocity of flow which carries the particle horizontally
 The viscosity of water in which the particle is travelling
 The size shape and specific gravity of the particle
 Temperature of water
 Short circuiting
 Scour velocity
 Flocculation of particles
20. Define – alkalinity and fluoridation
Alkalinity is a chemical measurement of a waters ability to neutralize acids. Alkalinity is also a
measure of waters buffering capacity or its ability to resist changes in pH upon the addition of acids
or bases
Fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply to reduce tooth decay.
Fluoridated water contains fluoride at a level that is effective for preventing cavities; this can occur
naturally or by adding fluoride.

PART – B (16 MARKS)

1. Find the area of rapid sand filter required for a two having a population of 80,000 with an average rate of
demand 180 lpcd. Assume suitable data for design. Draw the cross section of the designed filter.
2. Explain the sedimentation process used in water treatment plant.
3. Draw the longitudinal section of a sedimentation tank indicting the various zones.
4. How many kg of bleaching powder with 25% available chlorine is required daily to treat 5 MLD of water
with 3 mg/L of chlorine? With the help of neat sketch explain function and operation of slow sand filter.
5. Explain the design principles of flash mixer and flocculator.
6. Design a Clarifier for a population of 60000 persons. Per capita demand is 150 Lpcd. Peak
demand 180% of average demand. Assume suitable data if necessary.
7. Explain the mechanism of sand filtration. Draw a neat sketch of rapid sand filter unit (cross section)
and explain the working principle.
8. Explain the sedimentation by coagulation process using alum and state the merits and demerits of
using alum.
9. What are the methods of disinfection and state the quality requirements of a disinfectant?
10. What is disinfection? What are the factors affecting disinfection? Explain the chlorination process.

11
 UNIT – 4: ADVANCED WATER TREATMENT

1. What is the purpose of using velocity control device in a grid chamber?

The velocity control device in a grid chamber is providing for settling the grid particles in these were
pipes and then it is removed by an endless chain to which perforated buckets are fixed
2. Mention the classification of treatment process of sewage
 Preliminary treatment
 Primary treatment
 Secondary treatment
 Complete final treatment
3. State the purpose of using the skimming tanks
The skimming tanks are employed for removing oils & grease from the sewage and placed
before the sedimentation tanks
4. Why baffles are provided in the sedimentation tank in sewage treatment?
Baffles are required to prevent the movement of organic matters and it escapes along with the effluent
and to distribute the sewage uniformly through the cross section of the tank and thus to avoid short
circuiting
5. What are the types of trickling filters?
 Conventional trickling filter
 High rate trickling filter
6. What are the operational troubles in trickling filter?
 Flynuisance
 Odournuisance
 Ponding troubles
7. Define – sludge
The sludge age is defined as the average time for which particles of suspended soil remain under
aeration.
8. Define sludge volume index
Sludge volume index is defined as the volume occupied in ml by 1 gm of solids in the mixed liquor
after settling for 30 minutes and is determined experimentally.
9. What is meant by biodegradable organic matter?
The organic matters is decomposed by bacteria under biological action is called bio degradable
organic matter.
10. What are the various tests for finding the quality of sewage?
 Turbidity test
 Colour test
 Odour test
 Temperature test
11. What is meant by relative stability of a sewage effluent?
The relative stability of a sewage effluent is nothing but the ratio of oxygen available in the effluent
to the total oxygen required to satisfy its first stage BOD demand

12
12. What are the methods of disposing the sewage effluent?
 Disposal in water(dilution)
 By disposal on land
13. What are the different types of sewage treatment?
 Contact beds
 Intermittent sand filters
 Trickling filters
 Miscellaneous type of filters
14. Define - sludge digestion
The process of stabilization of the sewage particles are called sludge digestion
15. What are the stages in the sludge digestion process?
 Acid fermentation
 Acid regression
 Alkaline fermentation
16. What is meant by ripened sludge?
The ripened sludge is nothing but the digested sludge is collected at the bottom of the digestion
tank and it is alkaline in nature
17. What are the factors affecting sludge digestion and their control?
 Temperature
 pH value
 mixing and stirring of raw sludge with digested sludge
18. What are the types of incinerators has primary designed?
 Multiple hearth furnace
 Fluid bed furnace and infrared furnace
19. What are the methods of aeration?
 Diffused Air
 Mechanical aeration
 Combined aeration
20. What is meant by sludge concentrator unit?
The sludge obtained in a sludge digestion plant contains too much of moisture and is there for every
bulky may be reduced in its moisture content by sending into sludge thicker unit (or) sludge
concentrator unit

PART – B (16 MARKS)

1. Write short notes on : (i) Desalination process, (ii) Membrane process.

2. Explain the activated carbon treatments and pollutants removed and advantages of the process.
3. Explain the different methods of water softening.
4. Brief about few recent advancements in water filtration technique
13
5. Describe the various methods of removing excess iron and manganese from groundwater.
6. Classify the methods of removing temporary and permanent hardness from water.
7. Explain the zeolite process for the removal of permanent hardness from water.
8. Discuss about
(i) Membrane process
(ii) Desalination process
9. Explain the techniques involved in de-fluoridation.
10. Explain the activated carbon treatments and pollutants removed and advantages of the process.

14
 Unit -5: WATER DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY

1. What is meant by self-purification?

The automatic purification of natural water is known as self
2. List various natural forces of self-purification
 Physical forces
 Chemical forces
3. What are the factors affecting the reduction?
 Temperature
 Turbulence effect of wind
 Hydrographic
 Available dissolved oxygen
 Rate of re-aeration
4. What is meant by prim lake pollutant?
The phosphorus which contains in domestic sewage as well as in the industrial waste which affect
the water quality of the lake and its called prim lake pollutant
5. What is meant by de oxygenation curve?
The curve which represents (or) showing the depletion of D.O with time at the given temperature
6. How the river maintaining its clearness?
The turbulence in the water body helps in breaking the surface of the stream and helps in rapid
reaeration from the atmosphere. Thus it helps in maintaining aerobic conditions in the stream and
keeping it clear.
7. Name the biological zone intakes.
 Euphonic zone
 Littoral zone
 Benthic zone
8. What is meant by re-oxygenation?
In order to counter balance the consumption of D.O due to the de – oxygenation atmosphere
supplies oxygen to the water and the process is called the re –oxygenation
9. What is meant by zone of recovery?
The zone in which the river water tries to recover from its degraded conditions to its former
appearance is called zone of recovery.
10. What is meant by sludgebanks?
When the solid waste are thrown into the sea water, chemical react with the dissolved matter of
seawater and resulting in some precipitation of solid waste giving a milky appearance to sea water
forming the sludge banks
11. What is an equivalent pipe?
The equivalent pipe is one which will replace a given system of pipes with equal head loss for a given
flow
 Principles of equivalent pipes are
 head loss through pipes in series are additive
 head loss through pipes in parallel are same

15
12. What are prime functions of service reservoirs?
 They absorb hourly variations in demand by allowing treatment units, pumps to operate at
constant rate to reduce Running, Maintenance and Operating costs
 They help maintaining constant pressure in their distribution mains
 Pumping of water in shifts can be made with service reservoirs
 Stored water can be used for emergencies like break downs and fire demand
 Leads to over all economy by reducing sizes of pumps, pipes and treatment units
13. Write down the methods of distribution of water?
 Gravitational system
 Pumping system
 Combined gravity and pumping system
14. List out the components of a service connection pipe?
 Ferrule
 Goose neck
 Service pipe
 Stop cock
 Water meter
15. What is the role of computer application in water supply system?
 Computer applications allows
 Allow extended period hydraulic simulations
 Possess integrated module for water quality simulations
 Handle virtually unlimited size of the network in any configuration
 Have excellent graphical interface for presentation of results
16. How do you identify leakage in pipe lines?
Leakages in pipe line can be identified by the following methods.
 By direct observations
 Practically observing a wet soft spot on the unpaved ground or in lawn or emergence of spring in
odd place
 By using sounding rods
 By plotting the hydraulic gradient line
 By using waste detection meters
17. Write down anyone of the empirical formula to relate pressure to height in distribution
system?
Darcy’s formula:
Hl = KLQ2 K = 16f
D5 2gπ2
Hazen Williams’s formula:
Hl = KQ1.85 K = 10.62L
C1.85 D4.87
18. What are the requirements of water distribution system?
 It should supply water to all places in the city with sufficient pressure
 It should be capable of supplying required amount of water for fire fighting
 It should be cheap with least capital construction cost
 It should be simple, easy to repair and operate keeping RMO cost (Running, Maintenance and
Operation) and troubles to minimum
 It should be safe against pollution of water

16
 19. What are the layouts of water distribution system?
 Dead end system
 Grid iron system
 Ring system
 Radial system
20. Name any two appurtenances used in water distribution system?
 Fire hydrants
 Water meters
 Water taps
 Stop cocks
 Pipe bends

PART – B (16 MARKS)

1. Explain the Hardly-Cross method of distribution network analysis.

2. Write short notes on the detection and prevention of wastage of water.
3. Discuss the various possible water distribution arrangements in multi – storage buildings
4. Enumerate some of the appurtenances required for the pipes of water distribution networks.
5. What are the requirements of good distribution system?
6. What are the functions of service reservoir? Briefly outline the design aspects of service reservoir.
7. What is the role of computer applications in the water distribution system and explain how to maintain
the drinking water pipeline system.
8. Draw a sketch and label the parts of a water supply service connection from the street main to a
residential building and state the functions of each fitting.
9. Explain different types of plumbing system available in the building.
10. Explain different layouts of water distribution system and also list the requirements of good water
distribution system.

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

D.Shanmuga priya HoD/CIVIL PRINCIPAL

17