INTRODUCTION

Secondary Distribution System

Water distribution systems are designed to satisfy the water requirements of domestic,
commercial, industrial, and fire fighting purposes. The system should be capable of meeting
the demands placed on it at all times, and at satisfactory pressures. Pipe systems, pumping
stations, storage facilities, fire hydrants, house service connections, meters, and other
appurtenances are the main elements of the system
Conveyance of treated water from the treatment plant to the distribution
system

by pumping into an overhead tank and then supplying by gravity

by pumping directly into the water main for distribution.

Layout of Water Distribution system

There are two types of layout.
1. Branch system
2. Grid system
Branch system

It is the system in which each street or block is supplied separately from the main. So there is
end of system at each end of the block.

Advantages

This type of system is good for a city which has been developed irregularly.

As it required less number of valves so it is economical.

This type of system is easy to construct.

Disadvantages
This system is less desirable due to following reasons.

Large areas are cut off during maintenance or repairing.

When tap is not opened for a long time, bacterial growth may take place which can
also cause contamination.

Grid system

In grid system, the whole distribution system is interconnected. So the water remains in
circulation and there is no contamination of water. Because water does not stand still at any
point and it continues circulation.

Advantages

In this system, as the whole distribution system is interconnected, water can be

withdrew from more than one directions.

It minimizes loss of pressure.

During its repairing lesser area is cut off.

Disadvantages

The main problem in grid system is that a lot of valve to cut off a small area in case of
accidental hazards.

This system is difficult to design.

The network of pipes forming loops in possible only in well planned cities.

Usually the system in cities is a combination of branch and grid system.

Primary pipes

These are known as primary feeders or mains. They are the skeleton of the water distribution
system. They are so located that they carry large quantity of water from the pumping plant to
storage tanks and from storage tanks to the various parts of area to be served. This pipe
system form loops. The distance between two main pipes should not be greater than 1 km.
They should have valves no more than 1.5 km apart. Large and long feeders should be
equipped with blow off valves at lower point and air relief valves at higher point.

Secondary pipes

These are the pipes which carry water from the primary pipes to the various areas for normal
supply or for fire fighting. Secondary pipe system form smaller mains within the primary
mains by running from one primary pipe to another. They should be only a few blocks apart.
The diameter of these pipes should not be greater than 400 mm.

Distribution pipes

This pipe system consists of the network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular
pipes. These pipes supply water to fire hydrants and service pipes of the residential and other
buildings. The size of these pipes is determined according to the demand for fire flow. Their
diameter should not be less than 150 mm for fire hydrants and 75 mm for residential
buildings.
The function of water distribution system is to supply required quantity of water at normal
pressure maintaining a good standard of quality.
Components of water distribution system

Link (e.g.: pipes, pumps and valves)

Nodes (e.g.: demand, source, storage nodes)

Methods of water distribution

Water is distributed to the consumer in several different ways.

Direct pumping

In this method the pumps force water direct into the mains with no other outlet than the water
actually being used. It is a least desirable system as a power failure would result in the no
availability of water. As consumption varies so pressure in the mains is likely to fluctuate. To
fulfil the varying consumptions, several pumps are available to add water output when
needed. This requiring constant attendance of electricity. This method is costly.
An advantage of this method is that a large fire pump may be sued which can step up the
pressure to any desired amount permitted by the construction of mains.

Pumping in conjunction with storage

In this method, the excessive water is pumped during period of low consumption. This water
is then stored in elevated tanks and reservoirs. And when water consumption is high then this
stored water is drawn. This method fairly allows uniform rates of pumping and hence it is
economical. This method is fairly reliable. Because the stored water may be use at any time
when there will be a sudden power failure.

Gravity distribution

This is possible when lake or reservoir is at some elevation above the city so that sufficient
pressure can be maintained in mains for domestic and fire purposes. This is the most reliable
method if the conduit from the source to city is sufficient in size and well protected against
accidental breaks. High pressure for fire fighting may be obtained only by using motor
pumpers of the fire department.

Service storage / Distribution reservoir

The principal functions of distribution storage are:

to equalize supply and demand

to provide water for fire fighting

for emergency purposes

Distribution storage consists of the following components.

equalizing or operating storage

fire storage or reservoir

emergency reserve

Fire reservoir
Its function is to meet the fire demand.
Emergency Reserve
Its function is to meet the demand in case of system failure. Emergency storage is used to
meet the demand in case of any disturbance in supply. Disturbance may be source
contamination, equipment failure, pipeline breaks or power failure. It can also be used for
large fires which consumes the design fire reserve volume. Generally emergency storage is
not more than 25 % of the total storage.
Storage Location
Location of storage facilities can greatly affect overall system cost and performance.
Following considerations must kept in mind for effective placement of future storage:

The location and capacities of supply, pumping, transmission and storage facilities.

The condition of existing storage facilities.

The compatibility of existing storage facilities with future requirements.

The size, shape and topography of the water districts.

The relative economics of constructing additional pumping and transmission facilities

versus additional storage facilities.

Public Health and Safety

The treatment and dispersion of water for safe use is one of the best accomplishments
achieved by modern civilizations. Before urban communities started routinely treating
drinking water with chlorine, cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A affected a large number
of individuals every year, some even causing deaths. Drinking water chlorination and
filtration have served people from all walks of life for the purpose of solving this issues in
developed nations. Meeting the objective of clean, safe drinking water requires a combination
of efforts that incorporates: protecting source water from contamination, properly treating
crude water, and assuring safe dispersion of treated water to peoples taps. The characteristics
of the water provided from the treatment plant, and its interactions within the distribution
system, and the unique characteristics of premise plumbing all affect the public health risk of
the drinking water at the tap and complicate the formulation of coherent strategies to
minimize risk.