Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
College of Engineering and Computational Science
Goa Campus
Module 6
Drainage System
Name of Student: __________________________ Week Number: 6-8
Course Code: A-2 Name of Faculty: Engr. John Paolo D. Velasco
Course Title: Basic Mechanical Engineering
I. Learning Objectives
1. Understand the drainage system better and be familiar with the types used in the industry.
II. Lesson
Drainage System
There are two uses for a drainage system as part of existing and developing urban systems or cities. Drainage systems
are in place to remove the excess water in development. This could be floodwater, rainwater, and different kinds of
runoff. Drainage systems are also in place to effectively remove wastewater, which is referred to as a sewer system.
Not having a proper drainage system in place will result in flooding of low-lying areas, thereby causing property damage
and health risks. An effective drainage system is one that removes all excess water without causing inconveniences in
terms of design. For example, in an area with many buildings like residences and shops, there cannot be open drains
that flow through the areas.
Drainage systems can be different for stormwater and sewers, but sometimes both these inputs drain into the same
underground drainage system. The advantage of having separate drainage systems is that stormwater runoff is not so
dangerous that it has to be treated. This can be drained directly into water bodies. Water containing sewage and
industrial wastes, on the other hand, can be extremely toxic. Therefore, they have to undergo at least a primary
treatment before they can be let into water bodies.
Page 1 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Types of Drainage System
Closed Drainage
Closed drainage airtight or water-tight drainage of a cavity so that air or contaminants cannot enter; for example,
drainage of an empyema cavity carried out by means of an intercostal drainage tube passing into an airtight receiving
vessel.
Open Drainage
An open drain is an open channel, mostly found in urbanized areas and used for the discharge of rainwater. Rainwater
collected by the channels is often directed to rivers or other water sources.
Residential Drainage System
A residential drainage system removes extra water from the residential area. This system helps whisk water away from
roofs, driveways, roadways, and homes. Residential drainage systems are very important as they prevent rotting, mold,
mildew, and structural damage in buildings from a buildup of water.
4 Types of Residential Drainage System
1. Surface Drainage System
The purpose of a surface drainage system to prevent water from pooling or flooding on a property. These systems
remove the excess water from the land’s surface via channels or ditches. In some cases, the surface of the ground may
be graded or shape in order to create sloping to these channels.
The longer that water has to sit stagnant, the more susceptible it is to being contaminated by a variety of outside
influences. While some water will undeniably be absorbed into the ground and surrounding foliage, a lack of surface
drainage systems, incorrectly sloped yard, or heavy rainfall can cause problems. The major advantage to surface
drainage systems is the fact that it reduces the time that water is ponded.
Page 2 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
4 Main Types of a Surface Drainage System
1. Open Drains
Open drains can be broken down even further into their three subgroups based on depth: shallow, medium
depth, and large. Shallow open drains can easily be created using a hand shovel and are seldom deeper
than a foot. Their main purpose is to help remove excess water in shallow depressions. While they are
meant to direct water to larger streams or drains, a shallow open drain can only drain small areas and is
more of a temporary solution.
Medium depth open drains, on the other hand, are usually between one foot a one meter deep and are
best suited for flat areas. In most cases, an excavator is used to create these drains with a flat bottom and
a V-shaped trench. These drains must feature a gradient that is steep enough to permit water to flow
quickly without causing damage to the drain itself.
Finally, large open drains are usually wide and several meters deep. A scraper, bulldozer, or dragline
excavator is typically used to create a large open drain. As their name suggests, they are best suited for
excavating large volumes of water.
2. Levees
The purpose of levees is to keep surface runoff from gaining velocity while flowing to prevent the land from
eroding. They are typically formed on land with a gradient, in which soil is removed to form the levees on
the channel’s downslopes. Levees must follow the lay of a slope and the flow of water must be gentle to
avoid landslips.
In ideal situations, levees must be spaced between 30 and 50 meters apart. It’s also important to note that
a channel can erode quickly if the establishment of a grass cover is not accounted for after the creation of a
levee.
3. Grassed Waterways
Grassed waterways are used to control the outflows from drains going down slopes to help avoid erosion.
They are often shallow, narrow, and can only be used in areas where there is a dense stretch of grass. The
shape and size of the grassed waterway will determine the amount of water that can be removed and the
steepness of the slope in a grassed waterway surface drainage system.
4. Humps and Hollows
Humps and hollows are exactly what they sound like. Parallel humps are created in the surface, with
hollows in between them. The purpose of the humps is to help shed excess moisture, which is then
collected in the hollows that are essentially shallow surface drains. These two components work together to
form a series of lateral surface drains.
2. Subsurface Drainage Systems
Instead of being implemented on the surface, subsurface drainage systems are placed beneath the top layer of soil.
Commonly referred to as French drains, this system removes excess water from the soil that has become waterlogged at
the root level. When the roots of a tree or plant become waterlogged, they will start to rot and can eventually cause it to
die.
Installing a subsurface drainage system involves digging deep underground ditches and pipes, as well as a large
collector drain to pull the water from the pipes. Typically, a sump pump is also included to help push water through the
pipes and away from the affected area.
French drains are very common in residential applications, as they redirect water away from homes and landscaping.
They consist of a perforated pipe that is installed flat in a yard with a sloped trench that moves water runoff from the
highest point at the beginning – usually near the foundation of a structure – to the lowest at the end. At this point, the
water enters a cistern, sewer, or swale.
Page 3 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
Point drains, which are the drains you find in the center of your shower floor, are technically another form of subsurface
draining system. They require the floor to be sloped in all directions of the drain
3. Slope Drainage Systems
Slope drainage systems are designed to allow water to flow away from a structure in a downward direction. Pipes are
installed on an incline to naturally move the water down the slope.
As the installed pipes are anchored to the incline, they guide the water through and away. The pipes used may be steel,
plastic, or concrete. They are also covered with a durable grate to keep animals and people from falling into it
4. Downspouts and Gutter Systems
Downspouts are responsible for collecting water from the gutters, then directing it to the ground. A downspout and gutter
system is a building’s first line of defense against oversaturation caused by rainwater. The downspout is typically
connected to the gutter system on a structure, and carries the water off of the roof and to the ground.
To prevent the water from pooling at the base of the downspout, the water is emptied out on a slope. In most cases, the
system is drained into a rain barrel, buried drainpipe, aluminum extension, or some other solution.
Regardless, the main purpose of a downspout and gutter system is move water off of a roof and route it to the other
drainage systems in place on the street or at the sidewalk. In some cases, they may be connected to an underground
sewer line via gutter drains, or “underground drains.”
Page 4 of 5
Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Camarines Sur
PSY-SYL-___-___
III. Learning Activity
a. What is a Drainage system and explain its importance of it.
IV. Learning Assessment
a. What are the 2 main types of drainage system?
b. Differentiate the 2 main types of drainage system.
c. Provide the 4 types of Residential Drainage system
d. Define each type based on your understanding.
V. References
Drainage Systems. (2022). Byjus. [Link]
drainage-systems
4 Types of Drainage System. (2022). Upgrade Home. [Link]
systems/
Understanding the Types of Drainage System. (2021). ABT Inc. [Link]
the-types-of-drainage-systems/
Types of Drainage System. (2020). Northwest Drainage. [Link]
residential-drainage-systems/
The Four Types of Drainage System for Your Home. (2018). All Aspects Waterproofing.
[Link]
Page 5 of 5