Water Distribution

Distribution systems in Small Towns

Requirements of Distribution
should be Cheap
Should meet the fire demand
Should be water tight
No chances of pollution of water
Should not get busted
Should maintain desired pressure
Easy to operate and maintain
Degree of purity
Should be reliable
Should serve all places in the town
 Water Distribution
METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION

The method of distribution depends on the following factors

 1. The level of the water source

 2. The level of the city

 3. The topography of the area

 4. Other considerations prevailing in the area such as maximum

height of the building and the maximum distance of water supply
from the source.
 Water Distribution
The following methods are used for distributing water in a distribution
system

 By gravity flow method

 By pumping method

 By combined gravity and pumping method

 Water Distribution
Gravity flow method
 By this method water is distributed from the higher level to
the consumers at lower level by gravity flow. No pumping is
involved.

 The system is suitable if the source of supply is a reservoir or

lake

 t is the most reliable method of water distribution

Gravity System of Distribution
 Water Distribution
Pumping method
 In this method the treated water is not stored but it is pumped directly
into the water mains

 The demand of water is not constant therefore high-powered pumps are

required in this method. The pumps are operated at variable speeds in
order to meet the variable demand

 One permanent man is required to operate the pump

 The supply of water depends on the availability of power

 In emergency this method will not work. Therefore this is not preferred.
Pumping System of Distribution
 Water Distribution
Combined gravity and pumping method
 It is also known as the dual system

 The pump is connected to the mains and the elevated reservoir

 Water is pumped to the reservoir for storage and then it is supplied to the
consumers by gravity flow

 Sometimes water is pumped into the reservoir and the water main simultaneously

 The surplus water is kept reserved in the storage reservoir and be supplied in
emergency period during demand

 The pumps work at uniform speed therefore supervision required is less

 The water supply does not depend on power failure even if the power fails
because stored water from the tank reservoir flows under gravity

 The method is cheap, efficient and reliable

Dual System of Water Supply
 Water Distribution
LAYOUT OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The distribution system is classified as follows depending upon the layout

 Dead end system

 Grid iron system

 Circular system or Ring system

 Radial system
 Water Distribution
Dead end system

 It is also known as the tree system

 There is only one main supply pipe. A number of pipes are taken out from
it (sub-mains)

 Each sub-main is divided into many branch pipes called laterals.

 From laterals the service connections are given to customers

 This system is used in unplanned cities having no planning of roads

 The main water pipe is laid along the main road and branches are taken
off from this whenever required. Therefore many number of dead ends
are formed in this system due to which it is called dead end system.
Layout of Dead End System
 Layout of Grid Iron System
Grid iron system

 The mains, sub mains and branches are interconnected with each other

 This is most convenient for towns having rectangular roads

 Water Distribution
Circular system or Ring system
 The distribution area is divided into rectangular or circular blocks
and the water mains are laid on the periphery of these blocks
 This system is most suitable for well planned cities as its design is
easier
 This system increases the water pressure at various points and
increases the efficiency of the grid iron system
 This system posses the advantages and disadvantages as those of
grid iron system.
Layout of Circular or Ring System
 Water Distribution
Radial system
 This system is just the reverse of the ring method
 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 pipes laid radially
 This method gives quick and satisfactory water supply
 The sizes of the pipes can be calculated easily
 This system is most suitable for towns with roads laid out radially
Layout of Radial System