Chapter 6:

Water Supply

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Presentation Outcomes

After this presentation, students:

will be exposed to the basic knowledge of cold and hot water supply.
will be able to identify the related water supply system.
will be able to calculate and design a simple pipe size in the system.

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CONTENT
1.
2.
3.

Concept of Water Supply System from the authority to

building
Water supply distribution in building
Water efficiency in building

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Water
Water is a major natural resource, one of the big three: land,
water, air.
The importance of water can be put into perspective by the
fact that a significant portion of the earth's surface is water.
The reality is that :
97% of the earth's water is salty, and,
3% that is freshwater (includes water that is locked in glaciers and
polar ice caps).

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Water
Water for human consumption must be:
Free from harmful bacteria & suspended matter
Colourless
Pleasant to taste
For health reasons, moderately hard
Water storage & treatment process to ensure good water
quality
A basic essential for water supply is that it should be free of
harmful impurities and fit for drinking.
Water that has been collected from above ground or
extracted from below is unlikely to be acceptable as it may
have become contaminated.
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Source of Water
1. Surface water lakes, streams, rivers,
reservoirs, run off from roofs and paved
areas.
2. Sub-surface water shallow wells, deep
wells, etc.

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Fig 6.1: Hydrological Cycle

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Water distribution

Fig 6.2 (i) Gravity system

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(ii) Pump System

Types Of Piping for Water Supply System

Commonly used pipe materials, such as:
Cast iron (BS 4622)
Copper (BS EN 1057)
GI with PVC-C lining (BS 1387)
PVC, unplasticized PVC, PB, PE, PE-X
Stainless steel (BS 4127)

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Types Of Piping Valves used for Water Supply

System

Ball valve
Butterfly valve
Gate valve
Non-return valve
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure relief valve
Stopcock
Float switch
Expansion vessel
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Domestic Water Supply

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kitchen

DISTRIBUTION
PIPE

SYARIKAT AIR JOHOR

Fig 6.3: Types of water supply pipe.

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Water Supply Pipe

Communication Pipe:
- is pipe from water treatment plant to the house boundary @ to the water
meter.
- responsibility by supply authority.exp: SAJ.
- minimum depth 0.75m

Service Pipe @Supply Pipe

- is supply pipe from the house boundary into the storage tank @ from water
meter to water tank.
- serving the storage tank and kitchen sink with stopcock and drain cocks.
- responsibility by the house owner.

Distribution Pipe
- is pipe from storage tank to all the water taps @ fitments.

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System functions

The purpose of the domestic water system is to provide the occupants of a

facility an adequate quantity of domestic water for drinking and for the
proper operation of plumbing fixtures utilized for personal health and
hygiene.

The domestic water system must also protect the water it conveys from
harmful substances that would damage the water quality and make it unfit
for human consumption.

The domestic water system is comprised of

water supply;
water distribution system;
auxiliary components such as water heaters, pumps, storage equipment, and
backflow prevention devices;
and the termination point of use that are the plumbing fixtures.

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Storage Cistern
Materials: reinforced concrete, fiber glass, etc.
Reinforced concrete is the most common material used.
Fiberglass storage cistern for potable water shall be of an approved
type or certified, with no toxic materials and suitable for storage of
portable water.

Storage capacities:
Assessment of water consumption & demand
Ratio Sump tank : roof tank = 1:3 .refer water tank calculation~
apply for high rise building
Recommend to meet one-day demand

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Fig 6.4: Water tank basic requirements (for a gravity supply)

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Storage Cistern Components

A water storage cistern shall be fitted with: 1.

A ball float valve

2.

A fullway gate valve at the inlet (a gravity supply only)

3.

An automatic control switch and without any stop valve in the case of a
pumped supply.

4.

A fullway gate valve at outlet pipe .

5.

A drain-off pipe properly plugged or with control valve (adequate means to

prevent any unauthorized operation)
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6. Overflow pipe
to discharge overflow water to a conspicuous position easily visible and accessible
by the occupants.
at least one commercial size larger than the inlet pipe (min. 25 mm in diameter)
A grating and a self-closing non-return flap at the overflow pipe outside the
storage cistern.
7. Warning pipe
min. 25 mm in diameter
at a level below the overflow pipe and be extended to outside of the building
periphery for roof cistern or outside the pump room for sump cistern.
8. Outlet pipe
Outlet pipes from the storage cistern be at the opposite side to the inlet supply
pipe to prevent stagnation of water.

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Water Capacity
Types of building

Minimum water storage

liter

gallon

Residential house (urban)

450

100

Residential house (town)

680

150

Multistory flat house

140

30

Low cost house

450

100

Hostel

180/person

40/person

School

30

6.5

180/person

40/person

Boarding school
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Hot and Cold Water Supply

System for Building

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Cold Water Supply Systems

Cold water service shall consist of a pressurized piping distribution system

incorporating a separate supply line from the tap in the existing outside
water main to the equipment area inside the building.
Water service shall be metered inside the building (normally at the house
boundary) by meters furnished by the water supply department.
Internal distribution shall consist of a piping system that will supply
domestic cold water to all necessary plumbing fixtures, water heaters and
all mechanical make-up water needs.
There are two types of internal distribution system:
1. Direct
2. Indirect

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Direct Cold Water Supply System

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Indirect Cold Water Supply System

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Internal Distribution
1. Direct supply system:

conveys water directly from water mains to the point of usage without
any transit water storage tanks.
the capacity (in liters ) of the feed cistern is required to be at least equal
to the capacity in liters of hot water cylinder.
a cistern of 114 liters (minimum) capacity and is therefore small enough
to be accommodated in the top of an airing cupboard, thus saving
lagging of the cistern and pipe work.

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Fig 6.5: Direct System for Hot and Cold Water Supply

The items identified in the illustration above of

a direct water supply are:
1. Water company stopcock - this is used to
cut off all the water to the property and is
the point at which the responsibility for the
water pipe changes; up to, and including,
this stopcock the water supply company is
the responsible for it; from this point to the
house, the house owner is responsible
even if the stopcock is not on their land
(it's often in the pavement).
2. Householders stopcock - normally just
one stopcock within the property will cut
off all the water into it and the
householder is responsible for it. This
stopcock is normally located where the
rising mains enters the house, often under
the kitchen sink.
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Fig 6.5: Direct System for Hot and Cold Water Supply

3. Draincock - this allows all the pipework

within the house to be drained down at
the lowest point.
4. Stopcock - this stopcock can be used to
isolate the rising main from the cost
water taps and WC cistern etc to allow
maintenance in those areas without
having to shut off all the water in the
property.
5. Stopcock - this stopcock can be used to
isolate the rising main from the cost
water taps and WC cistern etc to allow
maintenance in those areas without
having to shut off all the water in the
property.

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Fig 6.5: Direct System for Hot and Cold Water Supply

6. Gate valve which can isolate the hot water

from the multi point water heater to the taps
etc.
NOTE: Valves 5 and 6 allow for the water
heater to be isolated for maintenance, repair
or replacement.
7. Multi water heater - specifically designed to
work at mains water pressure.
8. Inline valves to isolate water feeds to washing
machine or dishwasher etc.
9. WC overflow pipe - this takes any overflow
from the WC cistern out of harms way and
deposits it outside of the building. It needs to
be positioned so that any water flow is
immediately noticed as it would indicate a
problem.

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2. Indirect Water Supply

An indirect water supply system is the most common type found in modern
houses.
The mains water comes in via a rising main and directly feeds at least one cold
tap at the kitchen sink with potable water (i.e. water which is fit for drinking,
cooking etc) and may also feed a washing machine, a shower and an outside
tap etc.
The rising main also feeds a storage tank at a high point in the building from
where the water is fed to all the other taps etc using gravity. Supplies cold
water to baths, basins, shower etc. and also feeds the hot water cylinder.
Its capacity in liters will be approximately double that required for the direct
system. The water regulations require a cistern of 227 liters minimum
capacity.

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Fig 6.6: Indirect Hot and Cold Water Supply

1. Water company stopcock - this can cut off all
the water to the premises and is the point
where the responsibility for the water pipe
changes; up to, and including, this stopcock is
the responsibility of the water supply
company (even if the stopcock is on your
land); from here to the house, is the house
owners responsibility.
2. Householders stopcock - this normally can cut
off all the water within the house but the
householder is responsible for it. It's usually
located where the rising mains enters the
house, often under the kitchen sink.
3. Draincock - this allows the rising main within the
house to be drained down at the lowest point.
4. Stopcock - this stopcock can be used to isolate
the rising main from the storage tank to allow
maintenance without having to cut off all the
water from the property.

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5. Storage tank with a ballcock float valve to control the water stored.
The tank will typically hold from 230 to 360 litres (50 to 80
gallons) of water at the highest part of the building - the higher it
is, the better the gravity feed pressure at the taps etc.

6. Gate valve which can isolate the cold water feed to the hot water
tank.
7. Gate valve which can isolate the cold water to the WC and taps etc.
8. Hot water cylinder.
9. Gate valve which can isolate the hot water to the taps.
10. Storage tank overflow pipe - this takes any overflow of water
from the storage tank out of harms way and deposits it outside
of the building. It needs to be positioned so that any water flow
is immediately noticed as it would indicate a problem.

11. WC overflow pipe - this takes any overflow from the WC cistern
out of harms way and deposits it outside of the building. It needs
to be positioned so that any water flow is immediately noticed as
it would indicate a problem.
12. Inline valves to isolate water feeds to washing machine or
dishwasher etc.
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Advantages
of direct and indirect
water supply systems

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Table 6.1:

Advantages and disadvantages of direct

systems
Direct
Advantages:
1.
Less pipe work and
smaller storage cistern,
making it cheaper to
install.
2.
Drinking water available
at wash basins.

3.

Smaller cold-water cistern

which may be sited below
the ceiling.

and indirect

Indirect
Advantages:
1.
Large capacity storage cistern,
provides a reserve of water
during the failure of the mains
supply.
2.
The water pressure on the taps
supplied from the cistern is
reduced, which minimizes noise
and wear on the taps.
3.
Fittings supplied with water
from the cistern are prevented
from causing contamination of
the drinking water by back
siphonage.
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Table 6.1:

Advantages and disadvantages of direct

systems, Cont

Direct
Disadvantages:
4.
No storage to satisfy
peak demand period.
5.
Risk of contamination
and pressure
fluctuation of mains.
6.
Not feasible for highrise buildings due to
main pressure.

and indirect

Indirect
4.

5.

6.

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Water storage to meet

peak demand.
Less risk of adverse
effects by water mains.
Can be used in high-rise
buildings.

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Hot Water Supply System

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Hot Water Supply

Hot water shall be generated by heaters utilizing natural gas, electricity,

steam or solar as an energy source.
Electricity is widely used because of the ease of supply, although gas is
often employed.
Instantaneous hot water heaters are not permitted as a primary source.
Domestic hot water supply temperature shall be generated at 60C
(140F), and shall be tempered to 49C (120F) using a three-way mixing
valve, before supplying to all plumbing fixtures.
Central systems are usually of the storage type where water in a storage
vessel is heated from the space heating boilers.
In local systems the water heating appliances are sited near groups of
sanitary appliances.

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Direct Hot Water Supply

The hot water from the boiler mixes directly with the water in
the cylinder. If used in a soft water area the boiler must be
rust-proofed.
The storage cylinder and associated pipe work should be well
insulated to reduce energy losses.

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Indirect Hot Water System

The disadvantages of the direct system can be substantially overcome by

separating the primary water circulating in the boiler and flow and return
pipes from the water to be drawn off at taps.

This is achieved by providing a separate cold-water cistern to supply the

boiler and containing the primary flow in the cylinder within a coil of pipe
work or an annular cylinder to allow heat to be transferred from the
primary flow to the water in the cylinder.

This method is universally employed in larger installations but its

expensive for domestic use.

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Water
Supply
System
for Tall
Building

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For buildings higher than about

10 storeys it is necessary that
consideration be given to
pressure balancing at individual
draw-off fittings by means of
orifice plates or by arranging the
piping system in vertical zones
with reducing valves.
For very high buildings, the
provision of intermediate water
storage and further pumping
equipment may be necessary.
The drawing below shows a
typical boosted cold water
system for a high rise building
such as a block of flats or
apartments.

Fig 6.9System for Rising Water to Flats

(PRESSURISED COLD WATER SYSTEM FOR HIGH RISE BUILDING)
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House
tank/storage tank
capacity (2/3 of
total volume of
water storage)

In direct water
supply system for
high rise building

Suction tank
capacity (1/3 of
total volume of
water storage)

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Direct Water Supply

for Apartments

Roof tanks are fresh water tanks, placed atop highrise buildings. Roof tank installations are used in
water supply applications mainly due to unstable
water mains and unstable power supply.
Water is provided to the roof tank via a transfer
pump or directly from mains water supply.
Water is supplied to the majority of the
apartments through gravity. For the apartments
on the three or four uppermost floors (directly
below the tank), gravity is not strong enough to
create the proper water pressure. A pump is
installed to solve this problem

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Solar Heating of Water

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Solar Heating of Water

With green issues very tropical, it is appropriate to consider the use of

solar power to supplement conventionally fuelled hot water supplies.

In some countries, it is sole source of energy for hot water.

Solar collectors should be 4-6m2 in area and fitted to roofs ideally pitched
at about 40 and facing south.

The solar cylinder capacity of about 200 liters is heated to 60.

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A basic system
can be very
simple:
A small feed and
expansion cistern, a
hot-water cylinder
and a solar collector
together with flow
and return pipe
work are all that is
required.

Fig 6.10: Schematic solar hot water system

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Solar Water Heating

Fig 6.10 show the dual-coil water cylinder enables the solar
circuit to preheat the water and the boiler-fed coil brings it to
a final temperature.
It is also possible to use two separate cylinders; then the
cylinder with the solar coil supplies preheated water to the
boiler-heated cylinder.

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Calculation and design of Water

Storage Tank

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1.0 Water Storage

For larger buildings, the capacity of the storage cistern will
have to be estimated and Table 6.2 gives the storage
requirements for various types of buildings.
Table 6.2: Provision of cold water to cover 24 hours interruption of supply.

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Example 1
If a hostel is design to accommodate 100 students, determine the cold water
storage capacity.
Solution 1:
Total supply requirements per day for 100 students x 91 liters = 9100 litres
Design for storage tank size;
In the unlikely disruption of supply, the designer would be wise to
acknowledge that a shut down for 24 hours is usual and as the situation is
not desperate for water, it would be reasonable to allow perhaps 10 hours
reserve supply. Therefore the calculation could be revised thus:
9100 liters x 10/24 = 3792 litres

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2.0 Pipe Sizing

Calculate pipe sizing using Thomas Box formula:
q = flow rate (l/s)

d 5 xH
q
25xLx105

d = internal diameter of pipe (mm)

H = head or pressure (m)
L = effective length of pipe (m)

When transposed to make (d) the subject, Boxs formula

appears as follows:
2
5
q
x
25
xLx
10
d 5
H

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Example 2
The simple installation shown in figure 6.11 below provided an
opportunity to illustrate an application of this formula:
Solution 2:
2
5
q
x
25
xLx
10
d 5
H

4m head or pressure
2
5
(
1
.
25
)
x
25
x
(
35

20
%)
x
10
d 5
4

5 410 x105 33.3mm

Actual pipe length is 35m, allow
20% for bends and other
unforseens.

Discharge of 1.25 l/s

required
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Example 3: Water Storage Capacity

Determine the water storage tank capacity for seven storey office
building. All the fittings are given in table 6.3. Allow 15% of supply for
extra storage of each tank.
Given Table 6.3:
Quantity

Fittings

Storage/unit

10

Sink

135

10

Basin

90

10

WC

180

10

Shower

135

10

Tap

135

10

Bath tub

135
Total demand storage :
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Total water (l)

(quantity x storage)

8100
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Solution 3:
1.

Total water required:

= 8100 liter
Storage tank

2.

Suction tank ( with capacity = 1/3 )

= 8100 x 1/3

= 2700 liter

add 15 % for extra storage:

3.

= ( 2700 x 15% )

= 405 liter

Volume of suction tank

= 3105 liter

Supply to sinks, baths,

WCs, Shower, etc.

Storage tank ( with capacity = 2/3 )

Suction tank
Duplicated pump

= 8100 x 2/3

= 5400 liter

add 15%:
= ( 5400 x 15% )

Incoming Main

INDIRECT SYSTEM FROM MAIN

= 810 liter

Fig 6.18:

Volume of water storage tank = 6210 liter

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Water Storage Tank Size

Rectangle Tank
Total volume of a rectangular
prism shaped tank is length times
width times height. Therefore,
V(tank) = lwh
The filled volume of a rectangular
tank is just a shorter height with
the same length and width. The
new height is the fill height or
f. Therefore:
V(fill) = lwf

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Water Storage Tank Size

Vertical Cylinder Tank
Total volume of a cylinder shaped tank
is the area, A, of the circular end times
the height, h. A = r2 where r is the
radius which is equal to d/2. Therefore:
V(tank) = r2h
The filled volume of a vertical cylinder
tank is just a shorter cylinder with the
same radius, r, and diameter, d, but
height is now the fill height or
f. Therefore:
V(fill) = r2f

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The end
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