Design Periods and Capacities in Water-Supply Systems

(Table 2.11 Chin 2006)

M5: Distribution and Storage

Reservoirs, and Pumps

Robert Pitt
University of Alabama
and
Shirley Clark
Penn State - Harrisburg

Types of Distribution and Service

Distribution Reservoirs Reservoirs

• Provide service storage to meet widely • Surface Reservoirs – at ground level – large
fluctuating demands imposed on system. volumes
• Accommodate fire-fighting and emergency • Standpipes – cylindrical tank whose storage
requirements. volume includes an upper portion (useful
storage) – usually less than 50 feet high
• Equalize operating pressures. • Elevated Tanks – used where there is not
sufficient head from a surface reservoir – must
be pumped to, but used to allow gravity
distribution in main system

1
 Location of Distribution Reservoirs Storage Tank Types

• Provide maximum benefits of head and pressure

(elevation high enough to develop adequate
pressures in system)
• Near center of use (decreases friction losses and
therefore loss of head by reducing distances to
use).
• Great enough elevation to develop adequate
pressures in system
• May require more than one in large metropolitan
area

Determining Required Storage Amount

• Function of capacity of distribution network,
location of service storage, and use.
• To compute required equalizing or operating
storage, construct mass diagram of hourly rate of
consumption.
– Obtain hydrograph of hourly demands for maximum day
(in Alabama, this would likely be either late spring or
summer, and would include demands for lawn care, filling
and/or maintaining swimming pools, outdoor recreation,
etc.)
– Tabulate the hourly demand data for maximum day.
– Find required operating storage using mass diagrams,
hydrographs, or calculated tables.

2
 Determining Required Storage Amount: Determining Required Storage Amount: Example
Example
Time Hourly Time Hourly Time Hourly Time Hourly
(hr) Demand (hr) Demand (hr) Demand (hr) Demand
(gpm) (gpm) (gpm) (gpm)
0 0 7 3,630 13 6,440 19 9,333

1 2,170 8 5,190 14 6,370 20 8,320

2 2,100 9 5,620 15 6,320 21 5,050

3 2,020 10 5,900 16 6,340 22 2,570

4 1,970 11 6,040 17 6,640 23 2,470

5 1,980 12 6,320 18 7,320 24 2,290

6 2,080

To calculate total volume required for storage Determining Required Storage Amount:
Example
• Calculate hourly demand in gallons.
Time (hrs) Hourly Hourly Cumulative Surplus/ Deficits
• Calculate cumulative hourly demand in gallons. Demand Demand Hourly Deficit* (gal)
• Divide cumulative demand by 24 hours to get the (gpm) (gal) Demand (gal) (gal)
average hourly supply needed. 0000 - 0100 2,170 130,200 130,200 156,008 surplus
• Calculate the surplus/deficit between the hourly 0100 - 0200 2,100 126,000 256,200 160,208 surplus
supply and hourly demand for each hour.
0200 - 0300 2,020 121,200 377,400 165,008 surplus
• Sum either the surplus or the deficit to determine the
required storage volume. 0300 - 0400 1,970 118,200 495,600 168,008 surplus

0400 - 0500 1,980 118,800 614,400 167,408 surplus

REMEMBER: This result means that the tank is full when the surplus is 0500 - 0600 2,080 124,800 739,200 161,408 surplus
greatest and empty when the deficit is greatest! It is filling when the slope of the
pump curve is greater than the slope of the demand curve and is emptying
when the slope of the demand curve is greater than the slope of the pump * Surplus or deficit = average hourly demand (286,208 gal) – actual hourly demand
curve. There is no excess for emergencies!

3
 Determining Required Storage Amount: Determining Required Storage Amount:
Example Example
Time (hrs) Hourly Hourly Cumulative Surplus/ Deficits (gal) Time (hrs) Hourly Hourly Cumulative Surplus/ Deficits (gal)
Demand Demand Hourly Deficit (gal) Demand Demand Hourly Deficit (gal)
(gpm) (gal) Demand (gal) (gpm) (gal) Demand (gal)
0600 - 0700 3,630 217,800 957,000 68,408 surplus 1300 - 1400 6,370 382,200 3,469,800 -95,993 -95,993

0700 - 0800 5,190 311,400 1,268,400 -25,193 -25,193 1400 - 1500 6,320 379,200 3,849,000 -92,993 -92,993

0800 - 0900 5,620 337,200 1,605,600 -50,993 -50,993 1500 - 1600 6,340 380,400 4,229,400 -94,193 -94,193

0900 - 1000 5,900 354,000 1,959,600 -67,793 -67,793 1600 - 1700 6,640 398,400 4,627,800 -112,193 -112,193

1000 - 1100 6,040 362,400 2,322,000 -76,193 -76,193 1700 - 1800 7,320 439,200 5,067,000 -152,993 -152,993

1100 - 1200 6,320 379,200 2,701,200 -92,993 -92,993 1800 - 1900 9,333 559,980 5,626,980 -273,773 -273,773

1200 - 1300 6,440 386,400 3,087,600 -100,193 -100,193 1900 - 2000 8,320 499,200 6,126,180 -212,993 -212,993

Determining Required Storage Amount:

Example Surplus/Deficit
Time (hrs) Hourly Hourly Cumulative Surplus/ Deficits (gal)
Demand Demand Hourly Deficit (gal)
(gpm) (gal) Demand (gal)
2000 - 2100 5,050 303,000 6,429,180 -16,793 -16,793

2100 - 2200 2,570 154,200 6,583,380 132,008 surplus

2200 - 2300 2,470 148,200 6,731,580 138,008 surplus

2300 - 2400 2,290 137,400 6,868,980 148,808 surplus

Sum of
deficits = Chin 2006, Figure 2.27
Average* 286,208 gallons
1,465,275
Storage 1,465,275 gallons (sum of all deficits) plus
Required additional for emergencies

* Average = cumulative hourly demand / 24 hours = 6,868,980 gal/24 hrs = 286,208 gal/hr

4
Example 2.17 (Chin 2006) (2) The fire flow of 37,000 L/min (0.62 m3/sec) must be maintained for at
least 9 hours. The volume to supply the fire demand is therefore:
A service reservoir is to be designed for a water supply serving 250,000
people with an average demand of 600 L/day/capita and a fire flow of ( )
V fire = 0.62m 3 / sec (9hours )(3,600 sec/ hr ) = 20,100m 3
37,000 L/min.
(3) The emergency storage can be taken as the average daily demand:
The required storage is the sum of:
(1) volume to supply the demand in excess of the maximum daily
demand, Vemer = (250,000 people )(600 L / day / capita ) = 150 x10 6 L = 150,000m 3
(2) fire storage, and
(3) emergency storage The required volume of the service reservoir is therefore:

(1) The volume to supply the peak demand can be taken as 25% of the V = V peak + V fire + Vemer
maximum daily demand. The maximum daily demand factor is 1.8 times
the average demand. The maximum daily flowrate is therefore: = 67,500m 3 + 20,100m 3 + 150,000m 3 = 237,600m 3
Qm = 1.8(600 L / d / capita )(250,000 people ) = 2.7 x10 8 L / day = 2.7 x10 5 m 3 / day
Most of the storage for this example is associated with the emergency
The corresponding volume is therefore: volume. Of course, the specific factors must be chosen in accordance with
local regulations and policy.
( )
V peak = (0.25) 2.7 x10 5 m 3 / day = 67,500m 3

Example 2.18 (Chin 2006)

and under maximum demand conditions, the elevation of the HGL at the
A water supply system design is for an area where the minimum allowable service reservoir, z1, is:
pressure in the distribution system is 300 kPa. The head loss between the
low pressure service location (having a pipeline elevation of 5.40 m) and
300 kPa
the location of the elevated storage tank was determined to be 10 m z1 = + 5.4m + 12m = 48.0m
during average daily demand conditions. Under maximum hourly demand 9.79kN / m 3
conditions, the head loss is increased to 12 m. Determine the normal
operating range for the water stored in the elevated tank.
Therefore, the operating range in the storage tank should be between
46.0 and 48.0 m.
Under average demand conditions, the elevation (zo) of the hydraulic
grade line (HGL) at the reservoir location is:
where : p min
z0 = + z min + hL
p min = 300kPa γ
γ = 9.79kN / m 3
z min = 5.4m Therefore, under average conditions:

hL = 10m 300kPa
z0 = + 5.4m + 10m = 46.0m
9.79kN / m 3

5
 PUMPING
• Two types of pumps commonly used in water and sewage
works: Pump selection guidelines
• Centrifugal Pumps – typical use is to transport water and
sewage

• Displacement Pumps – typical use is to handle sludge in a

treatment facility
(Chin 2006 Table 2.3)

Schematic of hydraulic grade line for a pumped system Pump effect on flow in pipeline

(Chin 2006 Figure 2.6)

(Walski, et al. 2001 figure 2.16)

6
 Static vs. Dynamic Heads
Sizing Pumps
• To determine the size of the pump, must know
the total dynamic head that the pump is
expected to provide. Total Dynamic Head
(TDH) consists of:
– the difference between the center line of the pump
and the height to which water must be raised
– the difference between the suction pool elevation
and center line of the pump
– friction losses in the pump and fittings HGL = hydraulic grade line TDH = total dynamic head
TSH = total static head DDH = dynamic discharge head
– velocity head SSH = static suction head DSH = dynamic suction head
SSL = static suction lift DSL = dynamic suction lift
SDH = static discharge head

Head Added by Pump (Total Dynamic Head)

• If the pump has been selected, Bernoulli’s Equation can be

rearranged to solve for the head added by a pump:

2 2
P2 − P1 V − V1
hA = + 2 + Z 2 − Z1 + h f
γ 2g
where ha = head added by pump (total dynamic head)
P = atmospheric pressure
γ = specific weight of fluid
V = velocity
Z = elevation
hf = head loss in attached pipe and fittings

7
 Installation of Pumps into Water Supply
System

Example of Head Added by Pump Example for Head Added by Pump

• Solve:
Example:
• A pump is being used to deliver 35 gpm of hot 2 2
P2 − P1 V − V1
water from a tank through 50 feet of 1-inch hA = + 2 + Z 2 − Z1 + h f
diameter smooth pipe, exiting through a ½- γ 2g
inch nozzle 10 feet above the level of the tank.
The head loss from friction in the pipe is 26.7
• Set reference points. Let point 1 be the water level in the tank.
feet. The specific weight of the hot water is Let point 2 be the outlet of the nozzle.
60.6 lbf/ft3.

8
 Example for Head Added by Pump Example for Head Added by Pump

• Substituting into Bernoulli’s Equation:

• Since both the end of the nozzle and the top of the tank are
open to the atmosphere, let P1 = P2 = 0 (gage pressure).
2 2
• In a tank, the velocity is so small as to be negligible, so V1 = 0. P2 − P1 V2 − V1
hA = + + Z 2 − Z1 + h f
• Calculate V2. γ 2g
0 (57.4 ft / sec) 2 − 0
1 ft 3 / sec hA = + + 10 ft − 0 ft + 26.7 ft
35 gpm 60.6lbf / ft 3 2(32.2 ft / sec 2 )
Q 449 gpm
V2 = = = 57.4 ft / sec h A = 87.9 ft
A2 ⎛ π (0.5in ) ⎞⎛ 1 ft 2 ⎞
2
⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟
⎜ 4 ⎟⎜ 144in 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠⎝ ⎠

Calculation of TDH from Pump Test Data Calculation of TDH from Pump Test Data

TDH = HL + HF + HV • Substituting terms from Bernoulli’s Equation for

Velocity Head:

Where HL = total static head (difference V2

TDH = H L + H F +
between elevation of pumping 2g
source and point of delivery)
• Can plot system head (total dynamic head) versus
HF = friction losses in pump, pipes discharge. TDH may not be constant because of
and fittings differences between elevations during pumping
(depleting supply and adding to storage). TDH also
HV = velocity head due to pumping may not be constant because discharge rate will affect
friction losses (as well as the velocity head term).

9
Pump efficiency curve System operating point

(Net Positive Suction Head)

(Walski, et al. 2001 figure 2.18) (Walski, et al. 2001 figure 2.17)

Example 3.12 (Chin 2000)

Effect of a change in
demand on a Water is pumped from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir through
a pipeline system as shown below. The reservoirs differ in elevation
constant-speed
by 15.2 m and the length of the steel pipe (ks = 0.046m) connecting
pump in a closed the reservoirs is 21.3. The pipe is 50 mm in diameter and the
system performance curve is given by:
h p = 24 . 4 − 7 . 65 Q 2

where hp (the pump head) is in meters and Q is in L/s

(Walski, et al. 2001

figure 9.11 and
table 9.1)

10
 Operating point in pipeline system
Using this pump, what flow do you expect in the pipeline? If the motor
(Example 3.12) on the pump rotates at 2,400 rpm, calculate the specific speed of the
pump in US Customary units and state the type of pump that should be
used.

Neglecting minor losses, the energy equation for the pipeline system is:

⎡ fL ⎤ fL
h p = ∆z + Q ⎢∑ 2 ⎥ = 15.2m + 2 gA 2 D Q
2

⎣ 2 gA D ⎦

Where hp is the head added by the pump, f is the friction factor, L is the
pipe length, A is the cross-sectional areas of the pipe, and D is the
diameter of the pipe.

π π
A= D2 = (0.05m )2 = 0.00196m 2
4 4

(Chin 2006 Figure 2.18)

In general, f is a function of both the Reynolds number and the relative

roughness. However, if fully turbulent, then the friction factor depends on the
relative roughness according to: Substituting this friction factor into the energy equation:

1 ⎛ ε ⎞ h p = 15.2m +
fL
Q 2 = 15.2m +
(0.0192)(21.3m ) Q2
= −2 log⎜ ⎟ and the relative roughness is given by:
f ⎝ 3 .7 ⎠ 2 gA 2 D ( 2
)( 2 2
)
2 9.81m / s 0.00196m (0.05m )
k3 = 15.2 + 108500Q in units of m / s; for Q in L / sec
2 3

relative roughness = ε =
D = 15.2 + 0.109Q 2
k s = equivalent sand roughness = 0.046mm for this case

Combining the system curve and the pump characteristic curve leads to:
0.046mm
ε= = 0.000920 Can also use the Moody
50mm diagram and read the friction 15.2 + 0.109Q 2 = 24.4 − 7.65Q 2
factor by reading “straight
1 ⎛ 0.000920 ⎞ Q = 1.09 L / sec
= −2 log⎜ ⎟ = 7.21 across” from the roughness
f ⎝ 3.7 ⎠ value if assuming turbulent
flow. The next step is to verify if the flow in the pipeline was completely turbulent
f = 0.0192

11
 Q 1.09 x10 −3 m 3 / s
h p = 24.4 − 7.65Q 2 = 24.4 − 7.65(1.09 L / s ) = 15.3m
2
V= = = 0.556m / s
A 0.00196m 2
In U.S. Customary units:

Re =
VD
=
(0.556m / s )(0.05m) = 2.78 x10 4 Q = 1.09 L / s = 17.3 gpm
ν (1.00 x10 −6
m2 / s ) h p = 15.3m = 50.2 ft
ω = 2,400rpm
The friction factor can now be re-calculated using the Jain equation:
The specific speed is given by:

⎡ 0.000920 ⎤
1 ⎡ ε
= −2 log ⎢
5.74 ⎤
+ 0.9 ⎥ = −2 log ⎢ +
5.74
⎥ = 6.17 Ns =
ω Q 0 .5
=
(2400 )(17 . 3 )0 .5 = 529
f ⎣ 3.7 Re ⎦ ⎣⎢ 3.7 (
2.78 x10 4 )
0.9
⎦⎥ h p0 .75 (50 . 2 )0 .75
and f = 0.0263

Therefore the original approximation of the friction factor (0.0192)

was in error and the flow calculations need to be repeated, leading
to:
Q = 1.09 L / s

Cavitation
If the absolute pressure on the suction side of a pump falls below the saturation
vapor pressure of the fluid, the water will begin to vaporize, this is called
cavitation. This causes localized high velocity jets than can cause damage to the
pump through pitting of the metal casing and impeller, reducing pump efficiency
and causing excessive vibration. This sounds like gravel going through a
centrifugal pump.

Example 3.13 (Chin 2000)

A pump with a performance curve of hp = 12-0.01Q2 (hp in m, Q in L/s) is 3 m
Table 2.3 Chin 2006 above a water reservoir and pumps water at 24.5 L/s through a 102 mm diameter
ductile iron pipe (ks = 0.26 mm). If the length of the pipeline is 3.5 m, calculate the
cavitation parameter of the pump. If the specific speed of the pump is 0.94,
estimate the critical value of the cavitation parameter and the maximum height
above the water surface of the reservoir that the pump can be located.
Net Postive Suction Head NPSH
Therefore, with a specific speed of 529 and the low flowrate, the best The cavitation parameter is defined by: σ= =
type of pump for these conditions is a centrifugal pump. head added by the pump hp

po pv
Where NPSH (net positive suction head) is: NPSH = − ∆z s − hL −
γ γ

12
 where : The head loss, hL in the pipeline between the reservoir and the section
side of the pump is:
po = atmospheric pressure, 101kPa
fL ⎞ V 2 ⎡ (0.0257 )(3.5m ) ⎤ (3.0m )
2
γ = specific weight of water, 9.79 kN / m 3 ⎛
hL = ⎜ 1 + ⎟ = ⎢1 + = 0.863m
∆z s = suction lift , 3 m ⎝ D ⎠ 2g ⎣ ⎥
(0.102m ) ⎦ 2 9.81m / s 2 ( )
pv = saturated vapor pressure of water at 20 o C , 2.34 kPa
The NPSH can now be calculated:
The head loss can be estimated using the Darcy-Weisbach and minor
loss coefficients. The flow rate and Reynolds numbers are: po pv 101kPa 2.34kPa
NPSH = − ∆z s − hL − = − 3m − 0.863m − = 6.21m
γ γ 9.79kN / m 3 9.79kN / m 3
Q 0.0245m 3 / s
V= = = 3.0m / s
A π(
0.102m ) The head added by the pump, hp, can be calculated from the pump
2

4 performance curve and the given flow rate:

Re =
VD
=
(3m / s )(0.102m ) = 3.06 x10 5 h p = 12 − 0.01Q 2 = 12 − 0.01(24.5L / s ) = 6m
2

ν 1.00 x10 −6 m 2 / s The cavitation parameter of the pump is therefore:

NPSH 6.21m
The Colebrook equation gives a friction factor, f, of 0.0257 using these σ= = = 1.04
values. hp 6m

When cavitation is imminent, the cavitation parameter is equal to 0.20 and

the resultant NPSH is:

NPSH = σ c h p = 0.20(6m ) = 1.2m

If the specific speed of the
pump is 0.94, then the
critical cavitation po pv
1.2m = − ∆z s − hL −
parameter is estimated to
be 0.2 (using the top scale
γ γ
for SI units). Since the
The head loses between the pump and reservoir is estimated as:
calculated cavitation
f ( z s + 0.5)⎤ V 2
parameter was 1.04,
⎡
cavitation should not be a hL = ⎢1 + ⎥ 2g
problem. ⎣ D ⎦

⎡ (0.0257 )( z s + 0.5) ⎤ (3m )2 = 0.517 + 0.116 z

hL = ⎢1 +
⎣ 0.102m ⎥
⎦ 2 9.81m / s(2
) s

Chin 2000, Figure 3.18

13
Combining the equations results in: Calculation of the Theoretical Required Power
po pv of a Pump
1.2m = − z s − hL −
γ γ Power (hp) = Qγ(TDH)/550
101kPa 2.34kPa
= − z s − (0.517 + 0.116 z s ) −
9.79kN / m 3 9.79kN / m 3 Where Q = discharge (ft3/sec)
γ = specific weight of water (at sea level, 62.4 lbf/ft3)
TDH = total dynamic head (ft)
= 9.56m − 1.116 z s
550 = conversion factor from ft-lbf/sec to horsepower
and solving for zs:

z s = 7.49m • Each pump has its own characteristics relative to power

requirements, efficient and head developed as a function of
flow rate. These are usually given on pump curves for each
Therefore, the pump should be located no higher than 7.49 m (about pump. In general, the efficient for centrifugal pumps is
25 ft) above the water surface in the reservoir to prevent cavitation between 50 and 85%, with pump efficiency generally
(this must always be less than 1 atm, or about 33 ft). increasing with the size and capacity of the pump.

Calculation for Pump Efficiency Pump Power and Efficiency

Example:
P • A pump is being used to deliver 35 gpm of hot water
ηP = * 100 from a tank through 50 feet of 1-inch diameter
BHP
smooth pipe, exiting through a ½-inch nozzle 10 feet
where ηP = pump efficiency above the level of the tank. The head loss from
P = fluid power friction in the pipe is 26.7 feet. The specific weight of
the hot water is 60.6 lbf/ft3. What is the power
BHP = brake horsepower actually delivered to the water by the pump? If the efficiency
delivered to the pump is 60%, calculate the power delivered to the pump.

14
 Pump Power and Efficiency Pump Power and Efficiency

• Substituting back into Power equation:

Qγ (TDH ) – TDH was calculated to be 87.9 ft.
Power (hp) =
550 Qγ (TDH )
Power (hp) =
550

• Convert the discharge to cfs. Power (hp) =

( )( )
0.078 ft 3 / sec 62.4lb f / ft 3 (87.9 ft )
550 ft − lb f / hp
⎛ 1cfs ⎞ Power (hp) = 0.755hp
Q = 35 gpm⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 0.078 ft 3 / sec
⎝ 449 gpm ⎠

Pump Power and Efficiency Generating Pump Curves

• Efficiency calculation: Example:

• The characteristics of a centrifugal pump
BHP = P *100 operating at two different speeds are listed
ηP
(0.755hp ) *100 below. Graph these curves and connect the
BHP = best efficiency points. Calculate the head-
60
discharge values for an operating speed of
BHP = 1.26hp
1450 rpm and plot the curve. Sketch the pump
operating envelope between 60 and 120
percent of the best efficiency points.

15
 Generating Pump Curves Generating Pump Curves

Speed = 1750 rpm Speed = 1150 rpm

Discharge Head (ft) Efficiency Discharge Head (ft) Efficiency
(gpm) (%) (%)
0 220 NA 0 96 NA
1500 216 63 1000 93 65
2500 203 81 1500 89 77
3000 192 85 2000 82 83
3300 182 86 2200 77 84
3500 176 85 2500 70 83
4500 120 72 3000 49 71

Pumps in Series and Parallel

Pumps in series

For series operation at a given capacity/discharge, the total head equals the
sum of the heads added by each pump.
For parallel operation, the total discharge is multiplied by the number of
pumps for a given head. (Chin 2006 Figure 2.20)

16
 Multiple Pump Example 2.13 (Chin 2006)
A pump performance curve is: h p = 12 − 0.1Q 2
Pumps in parallel What is the pump performance curve for a system having three of these
pumps in series and a system having three of these pumps in parallel”

Pumps in Series:
For the pump in series, the same flow (Q) goes through each pump and
each pump adds one-third of the total head, Hp:

Hp
= 12 − 0.1Q 2
3
The characteristic curve of the pump system is therefore:

H p = 36 − 0.3Q 2

(Chin 20060 Figure 2.21)

Pumps in Parallel:
Variable Speed Pumps
For a system consisting of three pumps in parallel, one-third of the total
flow, Q, goes through each pump, and the head added by each pump is • Equations for Variable Speed Pumps:
the same as the total head, Hp added by the pump system:
Q1 N1
2 =
⎛Q⎞ Q2 N 2
H p = 12 − 0.1⎜ ⎟
⎝3⎠ H1 N
2

= 1
and the characteristic curve of the pump system is therefore:
H2 N2 2
3
Pi1 N 1
H p = 12 − 0.011Q 2 =
Pi 2 N 2 3
where Q = Pump discharge
H = head (total discharge/dynamic head)
P = power input
N = pump speed (revolutions/time – typically in minutes)

17
 Variable Speed Pumps

Pump Selection Example

Pump Selection Example

• A pump station is to be designed for an

ultimate capacity of 1200 gpm at a total head
of 80 ft. The present requirements are that the
station deliver 750 gpm at a total head of 60 ft.
One pump will be required as a standby.

18
 Pump Selection Example
• Possibilities are Pump A and/or Pump B. Pump Selection Example

• One pump will not supply the needed head at

future conditions. Pump B is better choice.
• Therefore, need to look at the three conditions
imposed on this design and see if B can
supply.
– Two pumps must produce 1200 gpm at 80 ft TDH.
– One pump must produce 600 gpm at 80 ft TDH.
– One pump must meet present requirement of 750
gpm at 60 ft TDH.

Pumping Stations for Sewage

Pump Selection Example
Constant-speed pumps should not be turned on and off too frequently
since this can cause them to overheat. In small pumping stations there
may be only two pumps, each of which must be able to deliver the
maximum anticipated flow. Lower flows accumulated in the wet well
until a sufficient volume has accumulated to run the pump for short
period (the run time). The wet well may also be sized to ensure that the
pump will not start more often than a specified time period (the cycle
time).

Example 15-3 (McGhee 1991)

A small subdivision produces an average wastewater flow of 120,000
L/day. The minimum flow is estimated to be 15,000 L/day and the
maximum 420,000 L/day. Using a 2-minute running time and a 5-
minute cycle time, determine the design capacity of each of two pumps
and the required wet well volume.

19
 For a 2-minute running time:
Each pump must be able to deliver the peak flow of 420,000 L/day.
2 min
V= (420,000 L / day − 15,000 L / day ) = 562.5L The pump running time is the working volume of the wet well divided by
1440 min/ day
the net discharge, which is the pumping rate minus the inflow:

The cycle time will be shortest when Qin is 0.5 Qout. Therefore, for a V
tr =
minimum 5 minute cycle time: Qout − Qin
V V
5 min = + The filling time with the pump off is:
Qout − 0.5Qout 0.5Qout
V
tf =
5 min 0.5(420,000 L / day ) Qin
V= x = 365L
1440 min/ day 2 The total cycle time is therefore:

V V
The required volume is determined by the 2-minute running time tc = tr + t f = +
requirement in this example and will therefore be larger than 563L. Qout − Qin Qin

Submersible sewage pump

installation: Wet pit-dry pit sewage pumping station:
A minimum depth needs
to be maintained over the
pump suction. With an
intake velocity of about
0.6 m/sec (2 ft/sec), a
submergence of about
300 mm (1 ft) is needed.
It is also common to
provide additional
freeboard (about 600 mm,
or 2 ft) above the
maximum water level.
This is a suitable wet well
for this example:

McGhee 1991, Figure 15-13.

McGhee 1991, Figures 15-14 and 15-15

20