Lesson 2 CE 317

LETS TALK ABOUT WATER SUPPLY

Remember that a supply of good water is more important to human survival than
food. Potable is clean water that is suitable for human drinking. It must be available for
drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Nonpotable water may be used for flushing water
closets (toilets), irrigating grass and gardens, washing cars, and for any use other than
drinking, cooking, or cleaning. An abundant supply of potable water that is easily
distributed is vital to a prosperous economy.

WATER SOURCES

By definition, there are two water sources in which water is taken from. Surface
water is the rain that runs off the surface of the ground into streams, rivers, and lakes.
Groundwater is water found below the surface of the earth. It is water that has
percolated through porous soil until it reaches an impervious stratum, upon which it
collects.

Surface water - Is any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers, lakes,
wetlands, reservoirs, and creeks. The ocean, despite being saltwater, is also
considered surface water.

Ground water - is the water present beneath Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and
in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called
an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water.

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

In large metropolitan areas, most of the drinking water originates from a surface
source such as a lake, stream, river, or reservoir. In rural areas, people are more likely to
drink groundwater that was pumped from a well. The design of any building water
supply system begins with an evaluation of the system from which the water will be
obtained.

Community Water Supply Systems - are public or private entities that install and
provide a central supply of water to a neighborhood, city or special district.

COMMUNITY SYSTEMS

Before proceeding with the design of the water supply, the following information
should be obtained and evaluated:

1. What is the exact location of the water main (pipe) in relation to the construction
site?

2. If the main is on the other side of the street from the construction site, what
procedures must be followed to get permission (in writing) to cut through the street, set
up barricades, and patch the street?

3. What permits are required from local authorities, how much do the permits cost,
and who will inspect the work and when?

4. If the water main does not run to the construction site, can it be extended from its
present location to the property? Who pays for the extension? How long will it take?

5. Is there a charge to connect (tap) onto the community system?

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 6. What is the water pressure in the main?
. A storage tank and pump may be required to raise the pressure if the pressure is
too low.
. Water pressure that is too high will probably require a pressure-reducing valve in
the system to decrease the pressure to an acceptable level.

7. What is the cost of the water?

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Private Water Supply Systems – Private systems may also use any of the water
sources discussed. Most private water is drawn from groundwater through wells.

PRIVATE SYSTEMS

Large industrial and commercial projects may draw all of their supply from one
source (e.g., a stream) or they may draw part of their supply Such systems often include
treatment plants, water storage towers, and sometimes reservoirs to store the water.

Small private systems, such as those used for residences, usually rely on a single
source of water to supply potable water to the system. Installing a well is the most
commonly used method of obtaining a source of water.

WELL SYSTEMS

A modern well system consists of a well, a motor-driven pump, and a storage tank.
In most systems, the pump draws water from the well where it is stored in a storage
tank.

Types of Wells

Wells are classified according to their depth and the method used to construct the well:

COMMON WELL SYSTEMS

There are three common types of water wells: dug, driven, and bored/drilled.

Dug Wells - Dug wells are shallow wells, generally not more than 25 ft (7.6 m) deep,
and typically 3 to 6 ft (1 to 2 m) in diameter. They are typically made by excavation with
a backhoe or excavator but can be hand shoveled, as this was the method typically used
for hundreds of years.

Driven Wells - Driven wells, also referred to as sand point wells, consist of lengths of
11⁄4 to 2 in (32 to 50 mm) diameter pipe that is driven into the ground. In driving this type
of well, a sharp well point and drive cap are attached to a pipe.

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 Drilled/Bored Wells - Drilling or boring methods are used for deep wells. A well-
drilling rig is used to create the well hole. Drilled wells have the holes formed by using
rotary bits. Bored wells have the holes formed by using an auger and covered with a
casing.

WELL PUMPS

Well pumps are used to bring water from wells to the surface. There are shallow and
deep well pumps, depending on the well's depth. The pumping level is the vertical
distance between the pump and the lowest water level, considering drawdown during
pumping and dry seasons. There are two general types of well pumps: submersible well
pumps and jet pumps.

Well Jet Pumps The well jet pump combines centrifugal and ejection pumping. In
addition to a motor, impeller, and diffuser, the jet pump includes a jet (ejector)
assembly that consists of a nozzle and venturi tube. Jet pumps are self-priming, prior to
initial use is required for the pump to operate.

Shallow well jet pumps are used for wells with a pumping level up to 25ft (7.6m)
deep, which is the pump’s suction lift limit. It has no working parts submerged in water.

There are three common types of water wells: dug, driven, and bored/drilled.

Submersible Well Pumps Submersible well pumps are centrifugal pumps designed
to operate submersed in water near the bottom end of the well shaft. It is typically used
in wells with a pumping level of at least 75ft (23m) deep. The pump is submerged into
the well water, usually to about 20ft (6m) from the bottom of the well.

Well Design and Installation

The maximum rate at which water can be drawn from a well is known as its yield or
capacity. This yield is typically measured in gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per minute
(L/m).

Water demand refers to the quantity of water needed to fulfill the requirements of a
building supplied by the well system.

Once we've calculated the water demand, we can compare it to the well's yield. This
helps us figure out the appropriate size of the storage tank and whether additional wells
are necessary to meet the project's water needs.

Testing all wells is essential to assess their yield and water quality. This should occur
early in the design process to determine the water storage tank size and plan for
necessary water treatment equipment, along with allocating space in the project's
design for their placement.

In projects where there is a continuous need for a significant water supply, it may be
necessary to install additional wells to ensure enough water yield to meet the expected
demand.

While backup wells are usually not essential for residences, they become a wise
investment for industries or businesses with high water requirements, like car washes,
farms, or apartment complexes.

When multiple wells are necessary, it is essential to space them appropriately to

prevent the water table in one well from being affected by the usage of another well . As
a general guideline, deep wells should be spaced around 500 to 1000 ft (150 to 300 m)
apart, whereas shallow wells should be spaced about 20 to 100 ft (6 to 30 m) apart.

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Water Towers and Elevated Storage Tanks

A water tower must be tall enough to provide adequate pressure to all houses and
businesses in its vicinity.

Each foot of water height in the tower generates 0.433 psi of pressure.

Typical community water supplies maintain pressures between 50 to 100 psi, while
plumbing fixtures require 8 to 30 psi.

Water towers are usually located on high ground and must be 100 to 200 ft above
the highest plumbing fixture they serve.

In mountainous regions, a ground-level water storage tank on the highest hill can
sometimes serve as a substitute for a water tower.

Elevated water storage tanks are designed to store enough water for one to two
days of supply, with an additional reserve for firefighting purposes.

WELL TANKS

Water drawn from a well is pumped into a storage tank where it is stored for use by
building occupants.

WATER TOWERS & ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS

Water towers used in community systems and elevated water storage tanks used in
private systems carry a reserve capacity of water. They serve many additional purposes,
including what follows:

. To introduce pressure to the water supply system

. To equalize supply and demand over periods of high consumption
. To supply water during equipment failure or maintenance
. To supply water for firefighting demand

PIPING MATERIALS

A pipe is a round, hollow channel used to transport liquids (like water) and solid-
liquid mixtures (like wastewater) from one point to the next.

In building plumbing systems, pipes transport hot and cold water and remove liquid
and solid wastes. They also carry natural and liquefied petroleum gases, fuel oil,
compressed air, refrigerants, and irrigation water.

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 Water pipes are of two types, pressure pipes supply water, DWV pipes carry
waste/soil water. Both available in metal/plastic; copper dominates pressure,
plastic/cast iron common for DWV.

Pressure pipes handle continuous pressure without rupture and have leak-proof
connections. They are smaller and made of non-reactive material. On the other hand,
DWV pipes channel waste away by gravity, being lighter with thinner walls and looser
joints due to no pressure. DWV pipes are larger to allow gravity flow and must resist
common chemicals. Both types need compatible fitting design and joining techniques
for varying pressures and temperatures during use.

Copper tubing Copper tubing is popular for water supply, heating, AC, refrigeration,
drainage, and gas piping. Thin walls soldered to fittings for faster installation.

Copper tubing types are K (thickest walls), L, M (thinnest). DWV used for drainage. K
and L preferred for pressure, M and DWV for low/no-pressure.

Type K copper tube used for underground water, rigid/flexible, various diameters,
soft temper in coils, hard temper in lengths. Green color-coded.

Type L copper tube hard/soft temper, coils (soft), straight lengths like Type K. Soft
used for replacements and commercial installations. Blue color-coded, popular in water
supply.

Type M copper tube hard temper. For branch supplies, not risers/mains. Various
diameters. Used in chilled water, hot water heating, drainage. Red color-coded.

DWV copper tube, the thinnest type, is exclusively used for non-pressure
applications and is available in hard temper.

Copper pipe advantages - no rust, resists scale accumulation, lower friction loss than
steel. Smaller fittings, neater installation. Avoid copper for pH <6.8 water; consider
treatment for acidic water.

Table 12. 8 TYPES OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE COPPER TUBING

Red brass piping, 85% copper, 15% zinc, for water supply. Threaded for fittings,
harder installation/handling. Higher cost limits usage. Limited use in new construction.

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 Steel pipe available in various diameters, sold in 6 meters lengths. Forged steel
forms black oxide scale, called black pipe. Used for gas supply and fire sprinkler lines.

Galvanized steel pipe with zinc welded seam type, coating reduces corrosion,
extending life. Moderately corrosion resistant, suitable for mildly acidic water. Minerals
in the water react with the galvanizing material causing scale buildup.

Water supply and sewage systems use GI pipes as they can withstand harsh weather
conditions and are long-lasting, able to last for 70 years depending on application.

Black iron pipes are best for gas transportation due to seamless feature. Used in fire
sprinklers, fire hydrant, more fire-resistant than galvanized pipe. Prone to water
corrosion.

Standard lightweight wrought-iron pipe, commonly used for water supply and fire
sprinklers. Galvanized for added corrosion resistance. Sometimes used as the service
main to the riser.

THERMOPLASTIC PIPES

Thermoplastic pipe, also known as plastic pipe, is popular for water supply systems
due to its affordability and easy installation, making it a preferred choice for projects like
low-cost housing or apartments where cost efficiency is crucial.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a black thermoplastic pipe approved for

DWV use, offered in two grades: Schedule 40 and Service.

Polyethylene (PE) is a flexible thermoplastic pipe commonly used for buried cold
water supply, irrigation, natural gas, and LPG applications outside building foundations.

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is a strong and stable plastic pipe made by linking
individual polymer chains. It excels in temperature extremes, chemical resistance, and
freeze-break resistance. PEX is ideal for interior potable water plumbing, with fittings
made of brass, copper, or engineered plastic.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a rigid thermoplastic pipe approved for pressure

applications, mainly for cold water supply outside buildings, DWV, and irrigation. It's
usually white or gray but can be found in other colors. Note that PVC is not suitable for
potable hot water distribution due to its 73°F (23°C) and 100 psi (690 kPa) rating.

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is a rigid thermoplastic pipe approved for

potable hot and cold water supply, fire suppression systems, and process piping. With a
rating of 180°F (82°C) and 100 psi (690 kPa), it's suitable for potable hot water
distribution and offers excellent chemical resistance for sanitary drainage. CPVC is also
available in CTS for use in hot and cold water distribution systems within buildings.

Styrene Rubber (SR) is a rigid thermoplastic pipe that is generally approved for use
in septic tanks, drain fields,and storm sewers.

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 Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic pipe commonly used in chemical waste lines
and for hot/cold water applications. It's seldom used in building plumbing due to its
heat fusion joining method.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a costly thermoplastic pipe used in ultrapure water

and industrial applications (e.g., pharmaceuticals). It's joined through heat fusion or
mechanical techniques for smaller sizes, but not utilized in building plumbing systems.

Reinforced thermosetting plastic pipe combines thermoplastic resin with

reinforcement and fillers, commonly using polyester or epoxy resins. It excels in highly
corrosive environments, making it ideal for water distribution, sewage,and effluent
disposal applications.

COMPOSITE PIPE
Composite pipe - Flexible material with an aluminum tube and polyethylene layers,
available in various sizes, uses compression and threaded connections.

CONCRETE PIPE
Concrete pipes are made from cast concrete, used for sewage, industrial waste,
stormwater, and drain fields, including large water supply applications.