CHAPTER

Distribution System
5

5.1 INTRODUCTION
be supplied throughout the district
After proper treatment, the water is made safe and potable and is to
treatment plant to the individual units such as
(area) to be served. The function of carrying water from the
successfully through a well-planned
individual house, industrial units, publicplaces and institutions is completed
mains, distribution or service
network of distribution system. Hence, distribution system consists of pumps,
reservoirs, sub-mains, branches, laterals,valves, meters, hydrants and services.
mains, branches.
Pumps are used for lifting and forcing water into the distribution pipes. Mains, sub
controlled
laterals and pipes of different sections and sizes carry water as per the requirements. Valves provides
flow of water through pipes,distribution or service reservoirs collects and distributes water as per the requirements,
and hydrants provide large quantity of water at the time of fire in the locality.

5.2 SYSTEMS OF WATER SUPPLY

There are two systems of supply of water as follows:
(0) Continuous supply (ü) Intermittent supply
5.2.1 Continuous Supply
Incontinuous supply, water is supplied continuously to the consumers.
The rate of supply in the continuous system can be kept low and pressure may also be low.
Lower supply rate requires comparatively lesser size of distribution pipe, making the system
economical.

5.2.2 Intermittent Supply

In this system, water is supplied mostly at peak hours.
In this system, pump ofvery high capacity may not be required and with the help of distribution
reservoir, the system may be more effective.

5.3 METHODS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION

Water is forced in the distribution system in the following ways
(() Gravitational system (i) Direct pumping (ii) Combined system
 5.3.1 Gravitational System
This method ofwater distribution is cheapest among other systerms of water distributon.
Inthis method, water from hiah level sOurce is distributed at lower levels by simple action of gravity
without pumping.
This system works well where lakes are available at top of a hill.
5.3.2 Direct Pumping
In this, the treated water instead of pumping to the service or distribution reservoir, is directly pumped
to the distribution mains.
Since, supply is done directly to the distribution mains and services, high lift pumps are required to
overcome the friction losses at different stages and to have some residual head at distribution points
so thatwater may rise at higher storey of building
Since, water demand varies with time, pumps are required to be run at variable speed to meet water
requirement at different time periods
Due to variable speed, the pumps do not work at their maximum efficiency; hence, the system is not
So economical.

5.3.3 Combined System

In this system of water supply, there is combined actions of gravity and pumps.
In this system, the treated water is pumped and stored in an elevated distribution reservoir or tank
and from the distribution tank, it is fed to the distribution system by the action of gravity.
Pump works at constant and convenient schedule and the pressure can be maintained uniformly
during the supply.
5.4 LAYOUTS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The distribution pipe system may consists of main, sub mains, branches, laterals and finally service
connections.
Pipes, except the service connections, are usually made of cast iron with some type of coating to
avoid, rusting whereas for service connections galvanized cast iron pipes are used.
The distribution pipe are mostly laid along the road below the footpath. Depending upon local
conditions and orientation of roads, any of the following pattern of layouts is adopted singly or in
combinations.
() Dead endor tree system (i) Grid system or reticular system
(ii) Ringor circular system (v) Radial System
54.1 Dead End System
This system is also known as tree system.
Inthis system, there is one main pipe, from which a number of submains bifurcate and from each
submains several branched pipes separate out which are known as laterals.
From laterals, house connections are given to different houses.
Such type of distribution system is followed for old towns where the houses come up in a very
unplanned way.
This system is easy todesign and it is cheap and simple
It has got drawbacks that water can reach at a particular point only through one route, hence, if some
fault creep in, water supply get disturbed in that area because water conveyance is unidirectional
only.
 Ihere are many dead ends which prevent free circulation of water.
In this System, stagnant water has to be removed periodically by providing scour
ends and this results in wastage of treated water.
valves at dead
M - Main plpe
SM Sub main
B Branch pipe
H) SM CV - Cutoff valve

CU

SM

Fig. Dead End System

5.4.2 Grid System

This system is also called as reticular system.
In this system, one main pipe runs through centre and, branches and laterals run in grid pattern
which are interconnected as shown in figure.
Since the mains, branches and laterals are interconnected hence, dead ends are eliminated and
water reaches at different locations through more than one route. Supply
At the time of fire, water can be diverted to
the affected area by closing cutoff valves or SM
sluice valves of other areas.
Since, the pipe lines get water from different
directions, design is a bit difficult, size of pipes Bor or B
are larger and more number of sluice valves SAM S
are required.
This system is mostly suited for a well planned or
city where roads and streets are provided in SA
planned rectangular and square grid patterns.
The system is also known as interlaced BorO Bor B
system.
This system has disadvantage that it requires
1
more length of pipe lines and large nunber of Main pipe
Sub main
sluice valve (i.e. cutoff valves). S Cutoff valve
The design is difficult and costlier. (S) sluice valves
(B Branches or Laterals
Fig. Grid System
5A3 Ring System
This system is also called as circular system
The system consists of a main pipe all around the area.
 M Main ppe

SA

"-Cut off valves

M
S - Sub mains

SM

[Link] System
544 Radial System
In radial system,a very big area is divided in several zone and at the centre of each zone a distribution
reservoir is kept.
This method gives higher service head and efficient water distribution.

Main pjpe
SA Sub main pËpe
B Branches
Distribution
Reservoirs

( B
(

B)

Fig. Radial System

 5.5 PRESSURE IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Pressure in the distribution system depends on the following factors:
Domestic use (i) Fire demand
(ii) Economic considerations (iv) Topography
(v) Future demand
For domestic services,the supply pressure depends upon number of storeys upto which water is to be
lifted without additional use of booster pumps. For residential area, a pressure of 0.6 to 15 kg/cm² is considered
to be sufficient. Providing greater pressure in pipe than the required value makes the system costly. Following
minimum residual pressure should be provided at the ferrule points.
Single storey buildings:7 m above ground level
Two storey buildings: 12 m above ground level
Three storey buildings: 17 mabove ground level
The distribution system is not designed for residual pressure more than 22 m. Hence, for high rise
buildings booster pumps should be provided.
 5.6 DETECTION OF LEAKAGE IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Ihe rollowing methods may be used for detecting the leakege of water from the underground water mainS.
() By direct observations
(i) (1) By using sounding rod
By plotting hydraulic gradient line
(v) By using waste detecting meters.
5.6.1 By Using Sounding Rods
By using SOunding rod method, a sharp pointed metal rod is thrust into the ground along the pipe
line and pulled up for inspection.
Its moist or muddily point will preliminarily indicate the
presence of leakage.
Ihe soundof the escapingwater can also be heard by placing the ear on the top of the inserted rod.
JuGn sounds produced by leaks can also be magnified bya stethoscope type instrument called an
aquaphone or a sonoscope; so as to facilitate better hearing of sounds.
5.6.2 By Plotting the Hydraulic Gradient Line
In such type of method, the pressure at various points along a suspected pipe line are
and the hydraulic gradient line is plotted. measurea
The appearance of any kink or change in the slope of the hydraulic gradient line will indicate the
location of a leak in the pipe line.
5.6.3 By Using Waste Detection Meters
Actually the name given of these meters is "misleading" because these meters do not measure the
wasted water, but only measure high flow passing through a water main during the period of low
consumption such as during night.
The Deacon's waste water detection meters are widely used as they are quite sensitive and accurate.