Chapter 7: Conveyance of Water and Distribution System

CE 424: Sanitary Engineering Topic Level Outcome (TLO): TLO 3
Main Topic: Water Supply Engineering Prepared by: Group 2

Source: Pradhikaran, M.J.(2012). Basics of Water Supply System. Pp 10-29
Chapter 7: Conveyance of water and Distribution system
7.1 CONVEYANCE OF WATER
Water Conveyance is interpreted as ´transport of large volumes of water´. Due to its weight, the transportation of water is very
energy intensive. Unless it has the assistance of gravity, a canal or long-distance pipeline will need pumping stations at regular
intervals.
7.1.1. Pipe Materials
7.1.1. a. Cast-iron Pipes
Cast-Iron pipes are mostly used in water supply schemes. They have higher resistant to corrosion, therefore have long life
about 100 years. Cast Iron pipes are manufactured in lengths of 2.5 m to 5.5 m. The fittings of these pipes are also
manufactured in sand molds having core boxes.
Advantages: ease in jointing the pipes, moderate cost, strong and durable; have a very long design life and they are less
prone to corrosion.
Disadvantages: they are heavy and difficult to transport, water carrying capacity reduces with time and cannot withstand
high pressures.
7.1.1. b. Steel Pipes
Steel pipes are comparatively expensive. But they are the strongest and most durable of all water supply pipes. They can
withstand high water pressure, come in convenient (longer) lengths than most other pipes and thus incur lower
installation/ transportation cost. Advantages: can easily be welded, easier to construct and steel being much stronger
than cast iron pipes.
Disadvantages: steel pipes aren’t adopted to withstanding external loads and highly corrosive 7.
7.1.1.c. Reinforced Cement Concrete R.C.C.
These pipes may be precast or Cast-in-situ plain concrete pipe may be used at such places where water does not flow under
pressure, these pipes are jointed with Bel &Spigot Joints. Plain Concrete pipes are up to 60 cm dia only, above it these are
reinforced.
Advantages: they can be easily constructed in the factories or at site and their life is about 75-80 years.
Disadvantages: they are affected by acids, alkalis and salty waters, their repairs are very difficult, it is difficult to make
connections in them and porosity may cause them to leak.
7.1.1.d. Plastic or PVC pipes
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is normally used for cold water pipes only. With common types; UNPLASTICIZED
PVC (UPVC) OR RIGID PIPES (for cold water.), PLASTICIZED PVC PIPES (which are plasticized with addition of rubber, It
has lower strength and lower working temperature than UPVC pipes) and CHLORINATED PVC (CPVC) (pipes which can
withstand higher temperature up to 1200).
Advantages: resistant to corrosion, easy transportation and installation.
Disadvantages: Cannot withstand high temperature low strength and less durable.
7.1.1.e. Wrought Iron Pipes
Wrought Iron Pipes are manufactured by rolling the flat plates of the metal to the proper diameter and welding the edges.
To Increase the life of these pipes sometimes these are galvanized with zinc.
Advantages: Lighter than CI pipes and neat.
Disadvantages: production is more costly, corrode quickly, less durable.
7.1.1.f Asbestos pipes
These pipes have been in use throughout the world since 1913. They are made of a mixture of 82-90% cement and 10-18%
asbestos fibers. They are available in diameters ranging between 60-2,000 mm. These pipes are connected with separate
special fittings.
Advantages: can withstand pressures ranging between 6-20 atmospheric pressures.
Disadvantages: it has carcinogenic health hazard.
7.1.1.g. Copper pipes
1
Highly resistant to acidic & alkaline water. Copper pipes are not liable to corrosion, even if water contains some traces of
acids. These pipes are only used in making gooseneck in the house connections and carrying hot water inside the buildings.
Advantages: can be easily bent and do not sag if used for hot water supply, easily installed and naturally corrosion-
resistant metal.
Disadvantages: Costs more than plastic and copper pipes also encounter problems from water acidity
7.1.1.h. Miscellaneous
Hume Steel Pipes- heavy and difficult to handle. Consist of thin steel shell coated from inside & outside with cement mortar
(1:2)
Vitrified Clay Pipes- vitrification is a process which fuses the clay particles to a very hard, inert, glass-like state. Used for
carrying sewage & drainage. Free from corrosion-smooth hydraulically efficient surface.
7.2. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The sole purpose of distribution system is to deliver water to consumer with appropriate quality, quantity and pressure.
Distribution system is used to describe collectively the facilities used to supply water from its source to the point of usage.
7.2.1. Different Pipe sizes
7.2.1.a. Supply main is the major artery that supplies water to smaller pipes on the way to homes and businesses. It is the
largest diameter pipeline of the network, capable of conveying the flow of the system under favorable hydraulic conditions
of flow velocity and friction losses. The pipes used are generally buried and uses rigid PVC, black high density polyethylene
(HDPE), lay flat hose, and quick coupling galvanized light steel pipes in sizes ranging from 63 to 160 mm (2–6 inches).
7.2.1.b. Sub-main is smaller diameter pipelines that ranges about 50 to 75 mm diameter (HDPE pipes) which extend from
the main lines and to which the system flow is diverted for distribution to the various plots. The pipes are the same kind as
the mains
7.2.1. c. Branches or Distribution mains come off of the Arterial Main. Branches are connected to the sub-mains and they
are along the streets. Distribution mains are typically smaller in diameter than the transmission mains and generally follow
the city streets. Distribution mains are usually 4–12 inches (10.0–30.5 cm) in diameter.
7.2.1.d. House connection refers to the piping within a building or home that distributes water to the point of use. Its pipe
diameters (3/8” to ½” ) are usually comparatively small, leading to a greater surface-to-volume ratio than in other
distribution system pipes.
7.2.2. Layout of water supply distribution

The distribution pipes are generally laid below the road pavements, and as such their layouts generally follow the layouts of
roads.
7.2.2.a. Dead end system is suitable for old towns and cities having no definite pattern of roads. In such system, sub main
pipes are connected at right angles from main pipeline and branch pipes are connected to sub mains at right angles.
Advantages: Relatively cheap, determination of discharges and pressure easier due to less number of valves.
Disadvantage: Due to many dead ends, stagnation of water occurs in pipes.
7.2.2.b. Radial system is divided into different zones. The water is pumped into the distribution reservoir kept in the
middle of each zone. The supply pipes are laid radially ending towards the periphery.
Advantages: It gives quick service and calculation of pipe sizes is easy.
7.2.2.c. Grid iron system is suitable for cities with rectangular layout, where the water mains and branches are laid in
rectangles. In such system; main, submain and Brach pipes are interconnected to each other. A grid system is laid.
Advantages: Water is kept in good circulation due to the absence of dead ends and in the cases of a breakdown in some
section; water is available from some other direction.
Disadvantages: Exact calculation of sizes of pipes is not possible due to provision of valves on all branches.
7.2.2.d. Ring system is system of water distribution where the supply main is laid all along the peripheral roads and sub
mains branch out from the mains. This system also follows the grid iron system with the flow pattern similar in character to
that of dead end system.
Advantage: Water can be supplied to any point from at least two directions.
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CE 424: Sanitary Engineering Topic Level Outcome (TLO): TLO 3

Main Topic: Water Supply Engineering Prepared by: Group 2

7.2.2. Layout of water supply distribution

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