Water Supply and Distribution

Chapter 03
Basics of Water Supply and
distribution
Distribution System
Contd.
 Water Supply System
Network of pipes that transport hot and
cold potable water under pressure
• Fixture – A device that uses water
(sink, toilet, dishwasher, etc.)
• Water Heater – Large insulated tanks
that heat cold water to be distributed
in the hot water supply lines
• Trunk Lines – Hot or cold water pipes
that serve many fixtures
• Branch Lines – Hot or cold water
pipes that serve only one or two
fixtures
 Water Supply System

• Water Main – Supply pipe installed

and maintained by a public entity
and on public property
• Water Service – Pipe from the water
main to the building supply pipes
• Meter – Measures the amount of
water transported through water
service
• Valve – A fitting used to control
water flow (located next to the
meter)
 Drain-Waste-Vent System
Network of pipes that transport wastewater
and sewer gases from the building
• Drain Pipe – A pipe that carries
wastewater in a building
• Vent Pipe – A vertical pipe that provides
circulation of air to and from the drainage
system
• Trap – A fitting (usually U-shaped) that
provides a seal to prevent the flow of
sewer gases
• Stack – A vertical pipe (waste or vent) that
extends through at least one story
• Cleanout – An access opening to allow
cleanout of the pipe
 Drain-Waste-Vent System
• Sewage – Any liquid waste containing
animal or vegetable matter, including liquids
containing chemicals
• Sanitary Sewer – A sewer pipe that carries
only sewage
• Storm Sewer – A sewer pipe that carries
storm water or other drainage (but not
sewage)
• Building Sewer or Sewer Lateral – Part
of the drainage system from the building to
the public, private, or individual sewer
disposal system
• Sewer Main – A sewer pipe installed and
maintained by a public entity and on public
property
Plumbing Codes in India
 Terminology

2.1.1 Access Panel

A removable panel mounted
in a frame, normally secured
with screws and mounted in
a wall or ceiling, to provide
access to concealed valves or
items which may require
maintenance.
• 2.1.2 Air Gap, Water Distribution —
Unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet
conveying water to a tank or plumbing fixture and flood level
rim of the receptacle.
• 2.1.3 Air Valve —
A valve that releases air from a pipeline automatically
without loss of water, or introduce air into a line
automatically if the internal pressure becomes less than that
of the atmosphere.
• 2.1.4 Authority Having Jurisdiction —
The authority which has been created by a statute and which
for the purpose of administering the Code/Part may
authorize a committee or an official to act on its behalf;
hereinafter called the ‘Authority’.
• 2.1.5 Available Head —
The head of water available at the point of consideration due
to mains’ pressure or overhead tank or any other source of
pressure.
• 2.1.6 Anti-Siphon—
A device or mechanism to prevent siphonage.
2.1.7 Backflow
a) The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances
into the distributing pipes of a system of supply of potable
water from any source or sources other than its intended
source.
b) The flow of a liquid in a direction reverse of that intended
• 2.1.8 Backflow Prevention Device —
Any approved measure or fitting or
combination of fittings specifically designed to
prevent backflow or back siphonage in a water
service
• 2.1.9 Back Pressure Back Flow —
Due to an increased pressure above the supply
pressure, which may be due to pumps, other
equipment, gravity or other source of
pressure.
• 2.1.11 Barrel —
This portion of a pipe in which the diameter
and wall thickness remain uniform throughout.
• 2.1.12 Base —
The lowest portion or lowest point of a stack
of vertical pipe.
• 2.1.13 Bath Room Group —
Group of fixtures consisting of water closet, lavatory, bath tub or shower and other fittings with a floor drain located
together.
• 2.1.14 Bedding —
The material on which the pipe is laid and which provides support for the pipe. Bedding can be concrete, granular
material or the prepared trench bottom
•2.1.15 Chair —
A bed of concrete or other suitable material on the trench floor to provide a support for the pipes at intervals.
•2.1.16 Channel —
The open waterway through which sewage, storm water or other liquid wastes flow at the invert of a manhole or an
inspection chamber.
2.1.17 Communication Pipe —
That part of a service pipe which vests in the water undertakes. It starts at the water main and terminate at a point
which differs according to the circumstances of the case.
2.1.18 Consumer —
Any person who uses or is supplied water or on whose application such water is supplied by the Authority.
2.1.19 Consumers Pipe — The portion of service pipe used for supply of water and which is not the property of the
Authority
2.1.20 Cover
a) A removable plate for permitting access to a pipe, fitting, vessel or appliance.
b) The vertical distance between the top of the barrel of a buried pipe or other construction and the surface of
the ground.
2.1.21 Cross-Connection —
A connection between two normally independent pipelines which permits flow from either pipeline into the other.
2.1.22 Direct Tap —
A tap which is connected to a supply pipe and is subject to pressure from the water main
• 2.1.23 Down Take Tap .
A tap connected to a system of piping not subject to water
pressure from the water main.
• 2.1.24 Effective Opening .
The minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water supply,
measured or expressed in terms of,
a) the diameter of a circle; and
b) the diameter of a circle of equivalent cross- sectional area, if
the opening is not circular.
• 2.1.25 Feed Cistern .
A storage vessel used for supplying cold water to a hot water
apparatus, cylinder or tanks.
• 2.1.23 Down Take Tap —A tap connected to a system of piping not subject to water
pressure from the water main.
• 2.1.24 Effective Opening —The minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water supply,
measured or expressed in terms of, a) the diameter of a circle; and b) the diameter of a
circle of equivalent cross-sectional area, if the opening is not circular.
• 2.1.25 Feed Cistern —A storage vessel used for supplying cold water to a hot water
apparatus, cylinder or tanks.
• 2.1.26 Fittings —The appurtenances such as coupling, flange, branch, bend, tees, elbows,
unions, waste (with or without plug), P or S trap (with or without vent), stop ferrule, bib
tap, pillar tap, bath faucet, water meter, garden hydrant, valves and any other article used
in connection with water supply, drainage and sanitation.
• 2.1.27 Fixture Unit —A quantity in terms of which the load producing effects on the
plumbing system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures is expressed on some arbitrarily
chosen scale.
• 2.1.28 Float Operated Valve —Ball valves or ball taps and equilibrium valves operated by
means of a float.
• 2.1.29 Flushing Cistern —A cistern provided with a device for rapidly discharging the
contained water and used in connection with a sanitary appliance for the purpose of
cleaning the appliance and carrying away its contents into a drain.
• 2.1.30 Flushometer Tank .A tank integrated with an air accumulator vessel that is designed
to discharge a pre determined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
2.1.31 Formation . The finished level of the excavation at the bottom
of a trench or heading prepared to receive the permanent work
2.1.32 Frost Line . The line joining the points of greatest depths below ground level up to
which the moisture in the soil freezes.
2.1.33 General Washing Place . A washing place provided with necessary sanitary
arrangement and common to more than one tenement.
2.1.34 Geyser . An apparatus for heating water with supply control on the inlet side and
delivering it from an outlet.
2.1.35 Haunching . Outward sloping concrete support to the sides of a pipe or channel
above the concrete bedding.
2.1.36 Heel Rest Bend or Duck-Foot Bend . A bend, having a foot formed integrally in its
base, used to receive a vertical pipe.
2.1.37 High Altitudes . Elevations higher than 1 500 m above mean sea level (MSL).
2.1.38 Highway Authority . The public body in which is vested, or which is the owner of, a
highway repairable by the inhabitants collectively; otherwise the body or persons
responsible for the upkeep of the highway.
2.1.39 Horizontal Pipe . Any pipe of fitting which makes an angle of more than 45° with the
vertical.
2.1.40 Hot Water Tank . A vessel for storing hot water under pressure greater than
atmospheric pressure.
2.1.41 Hydro-Pneumatic System.The water supply pumping system which operates
automatically in conjunction with pupump(s), pressure vessel and pressure
switch.
• 2.1.42 Junction Pipe . A pipe incorporating one
ormore branches.
• 2.1.43 Lagging . Thermal insulation or pipes.
• 2.1.44 Licensed (or Registered) Plumber . A
personlicensed (or registered) under the provisions
of this Code.
• 2.1.45 Offset . A pipe fitting used to connect two
pipes whose axes are parallel but not in line.
• 2.1.46 Period of Supply . The period of the day or
night during which water supply is made available to
the consumer.
• 2.1.47 Pipe Work . Any installation of piping with
its fittings.
Plumbing
2.1.69 Thermostatic/Pressure Balancing
Valve. Mixing valve that senses outlet
temperature and incoming hot and cold
water pressure and compensates for
fluctuations for stabilization.
Water Supply Requirements for Buildings
4.7.3.1 Design of consumer.s pipes based on fixture units The design of the
consumers. pipes or the supply pipe to the fixtures is based on,
a) the number and kind of fixtures installed;
b) the fixture unit flow rate; and
c) the probable simultaneous use of these fixtures.
The rates at which water is desirably drawn into different types of
fixtures are known. These rates become whole numbers of small size when
they are expressed in fixture unit.The water supply fixture units (WSFU)
for different sanitary appliances or groups of appliances
Probable simultaneous demand
 HYDRO-
PNEUMATIC
SYSTEM
 OVER HEAD TANK
DISTRIBUTION

• Pump operation to be by level controller or

air vessel/pressure switch at motorized valve
at OHT.
• Hot water supply to be planned as per
requirement by provision of geyser and hot
water piping.
• Flushing water supply from WC to planned in
case of availability of recycled waste water.
• For large and commercial buildings, water
supply to be based on zone-based
distribution for domestic and flushing water
supply.
• Presentation of layout and location of
fixtures/appliances are only typical in nature.
THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
IN RESPECT OF GRAVITY
SYSTEMFOR A MULTI-
STOREYED BUILDING
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN
RESPECT OF HYDRO-PNEUMATIC
SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-STOREYED
BUILDING
Water Supply and Distribution
Systems
 Contd.

• Stringent venting requirement on the drainage piping sys- tern calls for high levels of
• One of the popular models ofnon-water urinals is depend-ent on a cartridge, replacement of which is
recommendedafter a certain number of usages. It is impractical to keep track
of number of usages, especially in a large installation with anumber of urinals with varymg frequency of usage. such
as,in a public washroom. Substantial replacement cost of the car-tridge is also a concern.
• Other versions ofnon-water urinals use proprietary liquid seals to prevent foul odors from drainage system entering the
living spaces. Emptying of, say, a bucket of water into the
urinal bowl will negate the artificially created liquid seal.
• Cleaning of the bowls has to be done manually at regular in-tervals without use of water but with proprietary cleaning
agents, much to the dislike of the maintenance personnel.
• Non-water urinals are known to cause frequent blockage of the drainage system due to the encrustation of the urine
crystals.
• Installation calls for a high level of accuracy and skill, m the case'of non-water urinals using foating liquid, since an j
correct installation can negate the liquid seal and and cause un sanitary conditions in wash room.
• Plumbing codes stipulate installation of fixture(s) using water upstream of non-water urinals. These requirements are
often overlooked.
• The UIPC-I calls for provision of a water connection at each location where a non-watcr urinal is installed. This is due to the
apprehension of malfunctioning of the non-water urinals and eventual need for its replacement with a water-using urinal.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) regulations in India call for usage of treated effluent from onsite
treatment plants for flushing. In such situations, usage of non- water urinals with a higher capital cost may not be justified.
 Identification of Potable and Nonpotable Water
Systems.
• In buildings where potable water and non potable water systems are
installed, each system shall be clearly identified in accordance with Minimum length of colour field and size of lettering
Sections 601.2.1 through 601.2.4.
• Identification of water supply system is critical to the safe functioning Out side diameter Minimum length Minimum size of
of building and the protection of occupants at that building. of the pipe or colour field letters
• The first step in the protection of safe and pure water supply is the covering
correct labelling of the various water system in the building, This is
important not only for construction but specially after building is mm mm mm
occupied when subject to maintenance and specially when added to
or altered to latter on. 15 to 32 200 12.5
• The requirements of Identification/labeling must be adhere to on
every installation where portable and no portable water System are 40 to 50 200 20
provided.
• Green back ground with white lettering indicate portable water. 65 to 150 300 32
• Each system shall be identified with a coloured pie or brand and
coded with paints wraps and material compatible with piping 200 to 250 600 64
• Non potable water systems shall have a yellow background with
black upper case lettering and the words “CAUTION: NON PORTABLE over 250 800 89
WATER DO NOT DRINK” and each non potable system shall be
identified to designate liquid being conveyed and direction of normal
flow shall be clearly shown the minimum size of letters and length of
the color field shall conform to table TABLE
• Alternate water source systems shall have a purple(Pantone color
No.512,522 C,or Equivalent background with upper case lettering.
• Gray water systems shall be marked in accordance with this section
the Word” CAUTION:RECLAIMED WATER DO NOT DRINK” in
yellow letter
• Reclaimed (recycled) water systems shall be marked in
accordance with this section with words “CAUTION: NON CAUTION: NON PORTABLE
POTABLE RECLAIMED (RECYCLED) WATER DO NOT DRINK” in WATER DO NOT DRINK
black letters.
• Rainwater catchment systems shall be marked in accordance
with the section with the words “ CAUTION: NON-PORTABLE
RAINWATER WATER, DO NOT DRINK” in yellow letters(Pantone
108 or equivalent) CAUTION:RECLAIMED
WATER DO NOT DRINK
 Hot Water Connection
to Fixture
• Faucets and diverters shall be
connected to water
distribution system such as
hot water corresponds to the
left side of the fittings.
• This requirement of hot on
the left side makes the water
supply uniform to prevent
accidental use of the hot
water and possible scalding if
the temperature is too high
 • No Installation of potable water supply
piping or part thereof shall be made in
such a manner that it will possible for used,
uncleaned, polluted or contaminated
water, mixures , or substance to enter any
portion of the such piping.
Unacceptable • The source may include any tank, receptor,
equipment, or plumbing fixture. The cause
connections may back-siphonage, suction, or other
cause either during normal use and
operation thereof, or when any such
source is flooded or subject to pressure
exceeding the operating presure in the hot
or cold water pirping.
 • Cross Contamination-
No person shall make a connection or allow one to exist
between pipes or conduits carrying domestic water by
public or private water service system; and any pipe
conduit of fixtures, containing or carrying water from any
other source or containing or carrying water that has been
used for any purpose whatever or any piping carrying
chemical, chemical liquid gasses whatsoever unless an
approved back flow device is provided. Each point of use
shall be separately protected when potential cross
contamination of individual unit exist.
• Back flow prevention
Contd. No installation of a fixture device or an arrangement of
piping system that may cost a cross connection shall be
allowed unless it is protected by a back flow prevention
method. Maintenance or repair of the piping system shall
not cause cross connection.
• Private Water Supply
No water piping supplied by any private water supply
system shall be connected to any other source of water
supply without the approval of authority having
Jurisdiction
Cross connection control
Contd.
• Approval of device or
assemblies: Before any
device or assembly flow
it should first approved
by the authority having
jurisdiction. Device or
assemblies shall be
tested for conformity with
recognized standard
acceptable to the
authority having
Juriddiction
 Back flow prevention method
assemblies and methods

• The Airgap as means of

backflow protectionis primary
method of protecting the
water supply at the fixture
when the approprieate air gap
seperation is provided at each
fixture between its flood level
rim and water supply outlet,
primary protection for the
building water supply as well
for public water.
 Atmospheric Vacuum
Breaker(AVP)
• The purpose of the vacuum breaker
is to stop back siphonag. The
atmospheric vacuum breaker(AVB)
consist of valve that allows air into
piping system for the purpose of
stooping and downstream siphon.
Hose Connection Backflow Preventer
 • A double check valve
back flow prevention
assembly consist of
two independent
acting internally
loaded check valves,
four properly loaded
test cocks and two
isolation valve. Two
check valve in series to
prvent backflow
condition. Ussually
0.07 Bar of back flow
pressure will close the
Double Check Valve check valve.

Backflow Prevention
Assembly (DC)
 • A Pressure vacuum
breaker back flow
prevention assembly
consists of a loaded air
inlet valve an internally
loaded check valve.
This device shall be
installed indoors only if
provisions for spillage
are provided.

Pressure Vacuum Breaker

Backflow prevention
Assembly(PVB)
 • A pressure type
Spill Resistant Pressure
Vacumm Breaker (SVB)
vacuum breaker
backflow prevention
assembly consist of
one check valve force-
loaded closed and air
inlet vent valve force-
loaded open to
atmosphere,
positioned
downstream of the
check valve, and
located between and
including two tightly
clossing shutoff valves
and test cocks
 • A reduced pressure
principle backflow
prevention consists of two
independently acting
internally loaded check
valve, a differential pressure
relief valve, four properly
located test cocks, and two
isolation valves.

Reduced –Pressure Principle

Backflow prevention Assembly(RP)
Back Flow Prevention Valve
 Connections
Direct connection between portable water
piping and sewars shall not be made under
any condition with or without back flow
protection. Where potable water is
discharged to the drainage system, it shall
be means of approval airgap of two pipes
diameter of supply inlet but in no case shall
the gap be less than 25 mm. Conections
shall be made to to the inlet side of a trap
fixture, provided that an approved vacuum
breaker is install not less than 150 mm or
the distance according to the device’s listing
above the flood level rim of such trapped
fixture, so that at no time will any such
device be subjected to any back-pressure.
Hot water back flow prevention
Integral backflow Preventers
• Drain lines serving backflow devices or
assemblies shall be sized a in accordance
with the discharge rate asper manufacturer
flow chart.

Drain Lines
 Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker

• Water closet and urinal

flushometer (flush) valve
shall be equipped with an
atmospheric vacuum
breaker shall be installed
on the discharge side of
flush meter( flush ) valve
with the critical level not
less than 150 mm or the
distance according to its
listing.
• Float valve
Water closet tank shall be
equipped with float valve. The
float valve shall be installed with
the critical level not less than 25
mm above the full opening of the
over flow pipe.
• Heat Exchanger
Heat exchanger used for heat
transfer, heat recovery, or solar
heating shall protect the potable
water system from being
contaminated by heat transfer
medium
 Non potable Water
• Beverage Dispenser
Potable Water Supply to
beverage dispenser, carbonate
beverage dispenser or coffee
machine shall be protected by an
air gap or vented back flow
preventer.
 Water treatment unit
• Water treatment units
such as reverse osmosis
units shall meet the
requirement of the
applicable standard.
Waste or discharge from
reverse osmosis or the
type of water treatment
units for domestic
applications shall enter
the drainage system
through an air Gap
 Fire Department Connection
• Where fire protection
system supplied from a
potable water system
include a fire department
connection from a non
potable water source that
could be used by by fire
department as a secondary
water supply, the potable
water supply shall be
protected.
 Material
• Pipe
• Tube
• Fittings
 PE-AL-PE Plastic Pipe/Tube and Joints
• Jointing of PE-AL-PE plastic
pipe or tube and fittings
shall be in accordance
with the manufacturer’s
installationrecommendati
ons and shall comply
mechanical joint and
Compression joint
 Mechanical Joint
• Menchanical Joint between
PEX-AL-PEX tubes and fittings
shall include mechanical and
compression type fittings and
insert fittings with crimping
ring.
• Crimp joint for crimp insert
fittings shall be joint to PEX-
AL-PEX pipe by compression
of crimp ring around the
outer circumference of the
pipe
 PVC pipe & Joints
• Jointing of PVC pipe and
fitting shall be in accordance
with manufacturer installation
recommendations
• Joint from copper pipe or
tube to thread pipe shall be
made by use of brass adapter,
brass nipple, dielectric fitting
or dielectric union in
accordance with relevant
standard.
Valves
 Parallel Water Distribution
• A parallel water distribution system
usually refers to plastic pipe systems.
Usually refers to plastic pipe system.
Usually PEX or PEX-AL-PEX systems that
use manifold in system. There are two
types of manifold system.

1. The “home run “ system utilizes a

centrally located manifold to individually
distribute supply lines to each fixture.
2. The “ remote manifold system” system
utilized a trunk or main which service
several small manifold that in turn
service a group individual fixure..
 Pressure Reducing Valves
• Pressure regulating or reducing
valves are modulating valves
which have high level of flow
resistence and consequent
pressure drop through them
even when fully open.
Therefor pipe sizing
downstram of the pressure
regulator must be based on”
Worst Case” presuure loss
during a maximum demand
water flow.
 Expansion tank and combination
of pressure relief valve.
• Abuilding water distribution
system having a check valve,
pressure regulator, backflow
preventer or the other device
that prevent pressure built
up from being able to
dissipate back into source or
water supply main must be
equipped with an expansion
tank with pressure relief
valve
• The pressure relief valve
relieves the excess pressure
by discharging until the
pressure drop below the set
point.
 Vacuum relief Valve
• Where a hot water storage
tank or indirect water heater
is located at an elevation
above the fixture out let in
the hot water system a
vacuum on the storage tank
or heater. relief valve shall
be installed
 Water and swear line separation
• Water pipe crossing
sewer drainage
piping constructed of
clay or material that
are not approved for
use building shall be
laid not less than
300 mm above the
sewer or drain pipe.
Water hammer and Air chamber air
cushion depletion
 Drinking water treatment unit
• Drinking water treatment
units shall meet the
requirements of the
appropriate standards
• Airgap Discharge
Discharge from drinking water
treatement unit shall be enter
the drainage system through
an air gap .
• Connection Tubing
The tubing to and from
drinking water trweatement
unit shall be of a size and
material as recommended by
manufacture
 Conclusion
• Presently, water is the world’s scarcest natural resource. It is
no longer affordable to overdesign plumbing systems if the
industry advocates sustainable use of water.

• In the context of water conservation, which should be the

primary goal in the global water-stressed scenario, designers
are giving importance to using low-water-use (demand)
fixtures. Merely recommending the use of low-water-flow
fixture cannot address the issue of water conservation.
 Thank you
Any Questions?

Authors : Prof. Asis Muzumdar, IPA

Disclaimer : The topics/information included in this presentation and seminar is for informational purpose and plumbing education only. The materials and the oral presentation
accompanying them are for educational purpose and do not constitute legal advice. IPA and individual authors assumes no responsibility for errors or omission in this document, except if
such damages were caused by Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) intentional or gross negligence.