Design Flows: Practical Design of Water Distribution System

DESIGN FLOWS
PRACTICAL DESIGN OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1.0 MATERIALS
1.1 DEFINITIONS
Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP)- Pipe which is manufactured from ferrous material in which a
major portion contains carbon occurring as a free graphite in substantially nodular or spheroidal
form. (Reference: ANSI/AWWA C110/A21.10)
ANSI-American National Standards Institute
AWWA-American Water Works Association
Flanged Joint- A pipe joint that has a flared flange made into the pipe end to receive bolts
to couple an adjoining flanged pipe or fitting.
Gray Iron Pipe- Pipe which is manufactured from ferrous material in which a major portion
contains carbon occurring in the form of flakes interspersed throughout the metal.
Mechanical Joints- Mechanical joints are pipe joints that are gasketed and bolted together.
See ANSI/AWWA C111/A21.11
Push on Pipe Joints- Single rubber gasket pipe joints where the pipe sections are pushed
together and not restrained. See ANSI/AWWA C111/A21.11.
2.2 WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Sources of water
• Ground water- Series of municipal wells usually requiring chemical treatment, at
least to the extent of chlorinating.
• Surface water- Drawn from lakes or rivers below the surface. Ocean- desalination
plants on or near coastal regions.
• Precipitation- Large municipal reservoirs collecting rain run off and snow melt.
Transmission and Distribution Mains
Transmission lines are categorized as mains that carry large volumes of water, great
distances, such as between a treatment plant and local storage facilities.
Distribution lines are smaller pipes including valves, hydrants, fittings, and
appurtenances, that deliver treated potable water to the customers.
System Types
The two types of distribution systems are looped and branched. Looped systems have
pipes that are interconnected throughout such that water can move through the entire
system back and forth, depending on the points of largest demand.
Branched systems or dendritic systems have only one path to follow from the source
to the customer. Think of the system as one-way flow.
Looped System Advantages
• Fluid velocities are lower, reducing head losses, resulting in greater capacity. • Main
breaks can be isolated to minimize loss of service to customers.
• Fire protection is greater due to greater capacity and ability to isolate breaks.
• Looped systems usually provide better residual chlorine content due to inline mixing
and fewer dead ends.
Looped System Disadvantages
• Looped systems generally cost more because there are pipes that become inadvertently
redundant in order to create the loops.
Branched System Advantages
• Lower costs – Avoiding construction of pipes and appurtenances just to create a looped
system reduces the cost.
• In smaller rural communities, branched systems may be the only type that is feasible,
logistically and monetarily.
Branched System Disadvantages
• Main breaks take all downstream customers out of service.
• Branched systems cause poor chlorine residuals in low demand areas and may require
periodic flushing of hydrants in order to pull chlorinated water into the system.
• Velocities are faster, head losses greater and capacity reduced especially during high
demand.
• Fire protection is at risk due to inability to isolate a break.
2.3 WATER DISTRIBUTION MODELING
Critical Elements
The designer must determine how much information is needed to accurately model the
system. These are important in considerations of the model. Some elements, such as small
local demands, may not affect the model. Below are several considerations that should be
weighed while assembling your model components and developing your schematics.
• Potential large water consumption.
• Important loops.
• Large diameter pipes.
• Pumps, towers, tanks, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition).
• Existing utility crossings and other conflicts.
• Travel times
• Topography
Head Losses and Gains
The energy within a fluid in part depends on its flow under pressure. Friction head loss is
a function of velocity and type of pipe materials used. Potential energy is dependent on the
gradient at a particular point. Finally, there is pressure energy introduced from a mechanical
source. There are several friction loss algorithms that may be applied depending on the
software. Darcy Weisbach uses the well-known Reynolds number and Moody Chart. Hazen
Williams is another popular method and finally there is the Manning equation.
Conflicts and Separation
Crossing existing utilities usually requires that the water main avoid the conflict. Rarely
will an existing utility be moved. However, in many communities the franchise agreements
with gas, electric, telephone, cable TV, etc., requires the franchise utility to relocate their
facilities if they are in conflict with a proposed public utility. For this reason, utility
companies are now requiring exclusive easements in proposed subdivisions. It is not
uncommon to see a signature block on final plats for the utility company’s easements.
2.4 PUMPS
Pumps are used infrequently to add energy to the system. Because pumps add energy
and maintenance costs to the owner, they should be used only when absolutely necessary. A
pump failure or power loss could affect large service areas. Grade changes and friction
losses may require the addition of pumps when a tower or tank cannot be used. Pumps may
be needed to fill elevated tanks. Centrifugal pumps generally are the type used. Variable
speed pumps are more useful when used as a booster, not to fill a tank or reservoir.
2.5 VALVES
- Isolation Valves
- System Check Valves
- Altitude Valves
- Pressure Reducing Valves
- Air Release Valves
2.6 TANKS AND RESERVOIRS
In terms of the model parameters, reservoirs are considered an infinite source of
water with a constant head elevation. In contrast, a tank element is modeled with a
fluctuating water elevation or hydraulic grade. A reservoir is practically either a water
plant wet well of finished water, or in the terms of a smaller community purchasing from
a large producer, the point of connection at the master meter. In terms of modeling these
are defined as boundary nodes.
2.7 CONTROL DEVICES
Control switches are used to control elements of a system such as pumps and valves.
Some models allow you to enter switches as elements and others consider them as
attributes of elements such as pumps and valves.
2.8 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Division 15 – Mechanical (Plumbing)
VALVES
Governing Standards
Except as modified or supplemented herein, all materials required in this
section including their installation shall conform to the applicable requirements
of the following standards. Standards current at the time of tender shall be used.
a. ANSI American National Standard Institute
b. ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
c. AWWA American Water Works Association
d. MSS Manufactures Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings
Industry
REFERENCES
Design Flows
SectVI-Specification_V3of4.pdf
c182content.pdf

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DESIGN FLOWS

PRACTICAL DESIGN OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

2.2 WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

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