Building Services:

Water Supply and Sanitation

Ar. Gaurav Kumar

B.Arch, SPA Vijayawada
M BEM, SPA New Delhi
IGBC Accredited Professional
Sources of Water Supply
 Surface Water
• River and stream
• Impounding reservoir
• Tanks, Ponds and Lakes
 Ground Water
• Shallow Well
• Deep Well
• Spring
 Rainwater

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The Water Crises

 A water crisis is a situation where the available potable, unpolluted water within a
region is less than that region's demand.

 Indian states and union territories are having "extremely high" water stress.
Haryana is among the worst hit.

 Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Madhya

Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are the others. They all scored between four
and five on scale of zero to five, with five being the worst.

 Tamil Nadu is reeling under acute water crisis for the past several months after
Chennai's Porur Lake, which is considered one of the main sources of water, has
reached its lowest level.

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Characteristics of Water
Pure water is colourless, tasteless, and odourless. It is composed of hydrogen and
oxygen.
1. Temperature - this is important as it can have a marked effect on other
properties - rate of chemical reactions, solubility, taste, etc.
2. Colour - pure water has a pale green-blue tint in large volumes. However,
matter suspended in water can alter the apparent colour. The use of chlorination
in water treatment will normally remove all traces of the original source colour.
3. Turbidity- Turbidity refers to the cloudiness of the water. It can be a problem in
surface water sources. The materials causing the cloudiness can be inorganic
(such as clays, silts, or sand) or organic, such as algae and leaf particles.
4. pH - pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in water. The normal
range of pH for drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5.
5. Dissolved Solids - The total dissolved solids can have a significant impact on the
quality of water. The amount of dissolved solids affects the water for almost all of
its uses, whether for drinking, agricultural, or industrial use. The recommended
maximum limit of dissolved solids in drinking water is 500 ppm.

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Impurities of Water
 Hard Water - Water having high mineral content (between 120-180 PPM) – mostly
Calcium and Magnesium is considered as hard water. Anything below this limit is
mildly hard, and over this is very hard.

 Soft Water - Water

that contains low
concentrations
of ions and in
particular is low in
ions
of calcium and mag
nesium. Soft water
contains primarily
readily soluble
compounds .

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Water Treatment in Water Supply System
Chart below enlists some of the common methods of water treatment used in water
supply system:

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Systems of Water Supply

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Water Distribution
The lines carrying water from storage to its end use (stand post/ household tap etc.)
are called distribution lines. Distribution pipelines consist of main pipeline connected
from secondary storage; sub-main pipes connected from main pipeline and
service/branch pipes connected from sub-main for distribution to households.
Generally, Mild Steel (MS), Galvanised Iron (GI), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)/
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes, Ductile Iron (DI) pipe with 15-200 mm diameter are
used in distribution. These lines are generally underground (1-3 feet below ground).
Valves are used to control the distribution.

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Water Distribution
a) Gravity Fed Distribution - When the ground level of water source/storage is
sufficiently raised than the core village/town area, such system can be utilised for
distribution. The water in the distribution pipeline flow due to gravity and no
pumping is required. Such system is highly reliable and economical.

b) Pumping System - In such system, water is supplied by continuous pumping.

Treated water is directly pumped into the distribution main with constant pressure
without intermediate storing. Supply can be affected during power failure and
breakdown of pumps. Hence, diesel pumps also in addition to electrical pumps as
stand by to be maintained. Such system works only in condition where there is
continuous power supply, reliable water source and where intermediate storage
system cannot be installed.

c) Dual/Combination - In such system, both gravity as well pumping systems are

used. Such systems are used where there are variations in topography in
town/village.
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Pipeline Distribution Networks
1) Dead End Distribution System 1) 2) Ring System

2) Grid Iron System 2) Radial System

1) Dead end distribution system: 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. This system is easy to lay. However, in case of failure in pipeline, it will
be difficult to supply water to the area ahead of affected area. Also pressure at the
tail end will be low compared to other area and there will be stagnation of water.

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Pipeline Distribution Networks
2) Grid Iron System: In such system; main, sub main and branch pipes are
interconnected to each other. A grid system is laid. Here, total length of pipeline
required is high, but this helps in equitable water pressure. Also, blockage of pipes in
one area does not affect the supply in the rest of area as there are multiple supply
points to any area. This will also help in avoiding water stagnation. The system
required higher number of valves.

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Pipeline Distribution Networks
3) Ring System: The whole system is enclosed by main pipeline in radial or
rectangular shape. Smaller areas are enclosed by sub main pipeline. In case of failure
of system, very small area will be affected. The area ahead of affected area can get
water from other point. The system requires higher number of valves. Here water can
be supplied to any point from two directions.

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Pipeline Distribution Networks
4) Radial System: The area is divided into different zones. The water is pumped into
the distribution reservoir kept in the middle of each zone and the supply pipes are laid
radially ending towards the periphery.

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Water Meters
 These are devices installed on pipes to measure quantity of
water flowing in particular area. These are installed to keep
control on water usage in case of metered water supply.

 Water meters having sizes from 15 mm to 50 mm are

considered for domestic water meters. Water meters can
also be installed for measuring quantity at stand posts.

 Sizing of water meter- Water meter has to be selected according to the flow to be
measured and not necessarily to suit a certain size of water main. The maximum flow
shall not exceed the maximum flow rating. The nominal flow should not be greater
than the nominal flow rating.

 Installation guidelines and sizing recommendations for water meters are normally
given by the supplier.

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Water Supply Requirements for Buildings
Water Supply for Residences:

• A minimum of 70 to 100 litres per head

per day may be considered adequate for
domestic needs of urban communities,
apart from non-domestic needs as
flushing requirements. As a general rule
the following rates per capita per day may
be considered minimum for domestic and
non-domestic needs:

• Out of the 150 to 200 litres per head per

day, 45 litres per head per day may be
taken for flushing requirements and the
remaining quantity for other domestic
purposes.
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Water Supply Requirements for Buildings
Water Requirement for Buildings other than Residences:

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Water Storage Tanks
 The water may be stored either in overhead tanks (OHT) and/or underground tanks
(UGT).
 Tanks for the reception and storage of water shall be constructed of reinforced
concrete brick masonry, ferro-cement precast, mild steel, stainless steel or plastic.
 In the case of underground storage tanks, the design of the tank shall be such as
to provide for the draining of the tank when necessary and water shall not be
allowed to collect around the tank. The tank shall be perfectly water-proof and shall
be provided with a cement concrete cover, having a manhole opening, with a
properly fitting hinged cast iron cover on a leak-proof cast iron frame.
 In case of overhead tanks, bottom of the tanks shall be placed clear off the terrace
slab such that the elevation difference between the outlet pipe of the tank and the
highest fixture at the top floor of the building is minimum 2 m, which shall also
prevent leakage into the structural slab. In tall buildings, the top of the tank shall be
provided with the safe ladder or staircase. The top slab shall be provided with
railing or a parapet wall.

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Water Storage Tanks

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The Water Balance

 The water balance is an accounting of

the inputs and outputs of water. The
water balance of a place, whether it be
an agricultural field, watershed, or
continent, can be determined by
calculating the input, output, and
storage changes of water at the
Earth's surface. The major input of
water is from precipitation and output
is evapotranspiration.

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Domestic Hot and Cold Water Supply System

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Domestic Hot and Cold Water Supply System

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Solar Hot Water Heating System

(a) Active solar water heating system

with direct circulation. (b) Active solar
water heating system with indirect
circulation.

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Solar Hot Water Heating System

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Types of Pipe Fittings

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Types of Pipe Fittings
 Socket or coupling - It is used to connect two straight
lengths of pipes. The outer diameter of pipe will be equal to
inner diameter of socket after threading.
 Elbow – It connects two pipes of same diameter at an angle,
normally 90 degrees.
 Tee - It will fit two straight pipes and will have an outlet at
right angle.
 Union - It is used for joining the ends of two pipes which
cannot be rotated. They are used in long stretches of straight
pipes in the beginning of a pipe system and near all
appliances along stop valves.
 Reducer - It is used to connect two pipes with different size
(diameter) to reduce the size of pipe. Reducer can be a
socket, elbow or a tee as per required distribution network
requirement.
 Nipple - It is tubular pipe fitting, mainly in 300 mm length. It
is used for extending pipeline.
 Plug - It is used to plug the flow of water at dead ends.

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Types of Pipe Joints
Various types of pipe joints are as follows.
1. Threaded joint
2. Welded joint (butt welded, socket welded)
3. Brazed joint
4. Soldered joint
5. Grooved joint
6. Flanged joint
7. Compression joint

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Types of Pipe Joints
Ferrule - It is used for connecting a service pipe to the water main. It is
usually made of non-ferrous metal and screwed to the main pipe.
Sluice Valve - It is fitted at an important place like at the entrance of a
pipe. It may be the start of a new pipe from a tank, or a number of
branches from the tank. This valve isolates the water-supply, as and
when required. The sluice valve is specified by the pipe bore (diameter)
of the water-way. The standard sizes are 50 mm, 65 mm, 80 mm, 100
mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm.
Globe Valve - It is a type of valve used for controlling flow in a pipeline.
A component of valve includes a movable disc element and a stationary
ring seat fitted in a generally spherical body. The globe valve is used for
controlling flow control.
Gate Valve - It is used for starting or stopping flow. For a straight-line
flow of fluid, minimum flow restriction can also be done with gate valve.
In service, these valves are generally either fully open or fully closed.
These valves are used for various types of liquids and make a tight seal
when closed.

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Water Efficient Landscaping
Principles of Xeriscaping landscaping and other water-efficient approaches:
 Group plants according to their water needs.
 Use native and low-water-use plants.
 Limit turf areas to those needed for practical uses.
 Use efficient irrigation systems.
 Schedule irrigation wisely.
 Make sure soil is healthy.
 Remember to mulch.
 Provide regular maintenance.

Xeriscaping is the process of landscaping or gardening that reduces or eliminates the

need for supplemental water from irrigation. It is promoted in regions that do not have
accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in
other regions as access to irrigation water is becoming limited.

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Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is a method of controlled irrigation in which

water is slowly delivered to the root system of multiple
plants. In this method water is either dripped onto the soil
surface above the roots, or directly to the root zone. It is
often a method chosen over surface irrigation because it
helps to reduce water evaporation.

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Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a branch of agriculture where plants are grown without the use of soil.
The nutrients that the plants normally derive from the soil are simply dissolved into
water instead, and depending on the type of hydroponic system used, the plant's roots
are suspended in, flooded with or misted with the nutrient solution so that the plant can
derive the elements it needs for growth.

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Rain water Harvesting

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Rain water Harvesting

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References:
Bureau of Indian Standards. 1995

Pachauri, A.K., “Water Supply and Sanitary Installation, Design, Construction and
Maintenance”, New Age International Ltd. 1999

Manas Handbook of Plumbing, Manas Publishers.

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