Water Distribution, and Pressure

ARC 461
BUILDING SERVICES II
LECTURE 4
WATER DISTRIBUTION AND PRESSURE
DISTRIBUTION OF WATER ON EARTH
Water is the source of life and development on our planet. The earth has about 1.386 billion
cubic kilometers of water with about 97% in the form of seas and oceans, containing salt
water. About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about
96.5 percent of all Earth's water They are not suitable for direct consumption like drinking,
cooking and for industries and irrigational purposes. Only 3% of the water available on earth
is fresh water. If we look at the further distribution of freshwater alone, almost 66.7% is
locked up in the form of ice caps and glaciers. About 30.1% is existing below the surface as
groundwater. More than 2% exists as ice caps and glaciers, and about 1% is spread in the
form of rivers, lakes, ground water and water vapour. The surface water, which is directly
available on the land surface is only 0.3% shared by lakes, swamps and running water as
rivers, the rest 0.9% are existing as water vapour and soil water. A very small proportion
exists as biological water.
INVENTORY OF WORLD’S WATER
All of these water masses are called water reservoirs of the earth.
On an average, water is renewed in rivers every 16 days, while that in the atmosphere is
completely replaced once in every 8 days. The replacement is shown in lake lakes, glaciers
and in groundwater systems.
RESIDENCE TIME OF WATER RESERVOIR

The residence time of a water reservoir within the hydrologic cycle is the average time a
water molecule will spend within that reservoir. It is a measure of the average age of the
water in that reservoir. The residence time of water in the atmosphere is about 9 days before
condensing and falling to the Earth as precipitation. Deep groundwater may stay over 10,000
years beneath Earth's surface. The Ice from the Antarctica has been estimated to of the age of
800,000 years before present.
CYCLIC MOVEMENT OF EARTH
hydrologic cycle. The world’s water is not in static condition. It moves from one reservoir to
another reservoir and also
The world’s water is not in static condition. It moves from one reservoir to another reservoir
and also
The world’s water is not in static condition. It moves from one state to that of the other.
Water is in constant motion and circulated between all these reservoirs. The earth’s water
moves from the oceans to the air, air to the land and land to the oceans, again and again.
The sun’s radiant energy evaporates oceanic waters into the atmosphere, as water vapour.
This moves towards the land and falls back as rain, snow and sleet. These slowly flow
overland, fill up the lakes, swamps and streams. A part of these water masses percolate inside
the ground and join the groundwater. The other surface water masses may flow towards the
sea and are subjected to evaporation and transpiration processes. This endless circulation of
water masses among these reservoirs is known as the hydrologic cycle with the following
components:
1. Precipitation
2. Infiltration
3. Surface runoff
4. Transpiration
5. Groundwater baseflow
6. Interception
7. Evaporation from free water surfaces
8. Condensation
9. Evopotraspiration
The principal source of energy which mainly drives the circulation process in the hydrologic
cycle is the sun’s radiant energy sun’s radiant energy.
Reliable assessment of the earth's water is very difficult due to the dynamic nature and
hydrologic variability of water in time and space. Allied problems exist in estimating global
population and total annual renewable freshwater availability internationally. Water
problem assessment is a major subject of study. It comprises reliable assessment of water
availability, water quality, water needs and water shortage.
The world is not “running out of water,” but it is not always available when and where people
need it.
Climate, normal seasonal variations, droughts and floods can all contribute to local extreme
conditions. Water is not in short supply over the earth. It is a duty to conserve the available
water resources of the world. The hydrosphere is an important environmental segment of the
Earth. It is an essential segment for all life to survive.
WATER PRESSURE
Pressure is the force that pushes water through pipes. Water pressure determines the flow of
water from the tap. The amount of pressure at your tap can depend on how high the service
reservoir or water tower is above your home, or on how much water other customers are
using
HOW TO INCREASE WATER PRESSURE IN YOUR HOME

1. Contact your neighbors.- to see if they are experiencing a similar problem with their water
pressure
2. Check your well pump - unserviced submersible pump or drill a new one to keep up with the
demand.
3. Test the pressure yourself - by using a water pressure test gauge
4. Clear the clogs – Your pipes can develop a buildup of mineral deposits, and the situation can
be particularly bad if you have hard water.
5. Open your main water valve as it could have been turned off accidentally during routine
repairs and maintenance without the homeowner’s knowledge.
6. Replace the water pressure regulator – if regulator goes bad the pressure gradually drops,
causing a loss in velocity that affects some or all of the fixtures in your home
7. Look out for leaks - Cracked or damaged pipes may result in water leaks that siphon off
water as it travels through your pipes, leaving you with just a trickle at the tap. Choose
superior plastic or copper pipes over galvanized steel pipes
8. Install a home water pressure booster - Gravity and distance are two factors that negatively
impact water pressure. To increase the flow rate of the water when it reaches your home,
consider installing water pressure booster or simply opening a half-shut valve,

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ARC 461

WATER DISTRIBUTION AND PRESSURE

DISTRIBUTION OF WATER ON EARTH

RESIDENCE TIME OF WATER RESERVOIR

CYCLIC MOVEMENT OF EARTH

HOW TO INCREASE WATER PRESSURE IN YOUR HOME

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