Water Distribution Networks
Water distribution networks ensure a sufficient and continuous water supply to all subscribers and have the precise extent to cover the entire population.
Distribution Control Tanks
Given that the water flow is constant during the clock in the case of driving shot, or during certain hours only in the case of elevation, and which, in turn, the flow of consumption is essentially variable, the use of tanks is needed where excess water can be stored when the flow of consumption is less than the input supply and conversely the difference between the two when the flow is greater.
They should cover:
- Provide a special supplement of H2O in case of fire.
- Attend to unmet population needs in case of repairs or breakdowns.
In the industry, on a smaller scale, tanks are also used as a means and warehouse storage to balance both pumping rates in the short term as supply and demand in the long term, and to provide water during emergencies such as fires and loss of pumping capacity.
Industry Deposits
H2O Network – Distribution Network – Sanitation Network (Alcantarillado). Elevated storage reservoirs can be obtained by land, steel or concrete columns, uplands, or regulatory or elevated tanks. The elevated tanks are constructed of steel with a capacity of up to 15,000 m3 (4.106 gal.).
Types of Water Distribution Networks
The water stored in tanks is made through a network of pipes distributed through the different streets, so that it exists at every point the flow and pressure should be, at times of peak consumption.
The distribution systems can be reduced to three fundamental types: branched, circular, and lattice.
Branched System
The branched system consists of a main pipe with arteries arising secondary to break away from the other third, fourth, or more orders in a manner analogous to the nerves of a leaf. Each point on the network receives water from only one side, so that a fault in a dry point leaves the entire area below the broken point.
Crosslinked Network
In the crosslinked network, the ends of the branches join, and the water can reach a particular point from both sides, so that in case of failure, the water has two inputs and different points of the network can be fed by other pipes.
Circular Distribution
The circular distribution is complete with a central master artery and other circular arteries which may be stepped, if necessary, with large volumes which serve the areas served by its opposite ends.
The arterial lines should have valves at intervals of not more than 1.5 km, and all the smaller lines connected to them must have valves, so that damage to the smaller lines does not require the closure of large ones. The large primary pipes must be fitted with drain valves at low points and vacuum and relief valves for air (suction) at high points.
Hydrants
The purpose of hydrants is to provide fire protection, but they can also be used to blow air into high points and remove sediments at low points in the system.
The hydrant is connected to the main pipe through a lateral extension of at least 150 mm in diameter.
Once the pipe is decontaminated after installation, bacteriological analysis must be conducted to ensure that the total bacterial count of the H2O does not exceed 500/ml and that no coliform bacteria are found. Service pipes extend from the principal pipes to the users’ meters.
Service Lines
Service lines can be made of plastic, metal, or copper and incorporate a goose neck that permits any relative motion between the two lines. In high points, vacuum and suction valves are installed for air when the line admits air or expels it if it accumulates.
Materials for Accessories, Valves, and Pipes
The materials chosen for accessories, valves, and pipes depend on the specific application. Common materials include:
- Cast Steel
- Concrete
- Fiber Cement (reinforced or not)
- Precompressed Concrete
- Steel
- Lead
- Asphalt
- Plastic
Pipes
Extremely fine pipes are durable and can be expected to have a service life of more than 100 years. However, they are subject to corrosion, resulting in a phenomenon called tuberculation, in which the interior of the pipe is lined with oxide scale, reducing their diameter and increasing their relative safety. The combination of these effects may lead to a reduction in the hydraulic capacity of 70% or more. For this reason, it is often assumed that the metal pipe is coated with cement or bituminous material.
Steel can be used for water pipes, particularly in circumstances where the dimensions are long and pressures are high. In such circumstances, steel has economic benefits since it is more resistant and therefore lighter for a given resistance. In favorable conditions, its life can exceed 50 years, with unfavorable conditions being corrosive water and soil.
Internal and external coating with Portland cement mortar has been shown to provide good protection against external and internal corrosion, increase resistance to collapse, and improve the hydraulic properties.
Concrete cylinder pipe is often used in water transport. This is made by wrapping a wire of high tensile strength about a steel cylinder coated with cement mortar placed centrifugally.
Except for acid, concrete pipes are not subject to corrosion and do not suffer loss of hydraulic capacity over time. They can last up to 75 years.
Plastic pipes are made of solid materials such as fiber-reinforced plastic. They are used both in domestic plumbing systems and water distribution, as they are much easier to handle and install, and generally cheaper than traditional materials such as iron and concrete.
Cold flow, for example crystallization, or the stresses at the facility may affect the long-term service of plastic pipes. They usually offer a 25-year warranty on average for both the material and the operation.
Galleries of Services in Residential Construction
The purpose of service galleries is to centralize all the underground pipes of a public road, except for gas. This offers several advantages, such as eliminating all operations on public roads, providing easy service, and removing leaking water from pipes that occur more readily in contact with the ground due to the effect of corrosion and adaptive movements.
The most used section is type A, with 1.90 m wide and 2 m high from the platform and 1 more meter below the platform. When the width of the streets is limited, two galleries should be deployed, one below each sidewalk.