Systems of water supply

Supply Hours
Continuous System:
In this system water is available 24 hours in the supply line. It is ideal to have such a system. But
there is considerable wastage of water in this system.
Metered water may be supplied even in colonies.
Intermittent system: In this system the supply is intermittent and is for fixed hours in a day. In this
the hours of supply are staggered and may prove inconvenient to the users. This system is useful
when processing of water cannot be done at the required rate in peak hours.
Fire fighting system can not be associated with this type of system and separate system of fire
fighting or of fire tenders will be necessary.
Storage systems become necessary and may not be maintained by the user to the standards.
Larger diameter mains are required for the supply hours cannot be round the clock.
When water from a line is stopped, a partial vacuum occurs in the pipe. This may lead to suction
of gasses or liquids that are undesirable into the pipe. These get mixed with the next turn of
watersupply and may sometimes lead to epidemics i9n the area.
Patterns of laying pipes
Dead end pattern: Also known as tree system of layout
Advantages: It is possible to design for proper pressure
Cuts off valves required are less in number
The system is growth oriented hence one time investment is less
Laying of pipes is simple as extensions are made as and when required.
Disadvantages: Large areas of supply are affected when repairs are undertaken.
There are a large number of dead ends wherein water may remain stagnant and may become stale.
This may contaminate the watersupply. It is removed with help of valves provided at dead ends.
Water available for fire fighting is negligible as pressure and amount of water available toward
dead ends is negligible
Grid iron pattern (Interlaced or reticulation system)
Advantages: A very small portion gets affected incase of repairs as valves can be shut down to
isolate a small area.
Water circulation in all directions. No dead-ends hence no pollution of water.
System develops pressure at all points hence the pressure of water is always equal at all points.
Hence no loss of head occurs
Plenty of water is available from the system at the time of fire as adequate pipe size is available in
all the areas.
Disadvantages: The System is built at one go hence the cost is more.
More pipe length is required
The calculations for pipe sizing are difficult
Valves required are more making the system costly.

Use: More useful for towns having a grid iron pattern and when the extent of town is fixed.

Circular pattern
It is also a closed system like grid iron. In this system , the main lines are on periphery and water
is supplied from outside in.
Radial Pattern This is a closed system wherein there are reservoirs at points and water flows from
inside out.