Module 02: Water and Water Supply Systems PDF

Module 02 Water and Water Supply Systems Introduction This module discusses the fundamental concepts and principles on Water as an important resource and Surface Tension element...

Module 02 Water and Water Supply Systems Introduction This module discusses the fundamental concepts and principles on Water as an important resource and Surface Tension element of plumbing and Water Supply Systems as The ability of liquids to stick to itself and pull itself an essential system in a building. together. Water possesses an extremely high amount of surface tension, as molecules cling together so Water is the most basic and fundamental component tightly that it can support objects heavier than itself. of life on Earth as significant part of life depends on it. Approximately 75 percent of the earth’s surface is Capillarity covered by water. It is part of the hydrosphere and is The ability of water to climb up a surface in defiance distributed in different forms such as ocean, rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, reservoir, etc. Water plays a key role in the biological processes that sustain cellular life, such as the metabolic breakdown of essential molecules (which include proteins and carbohydrates), called hydrolysis. In recent years, the preservation of groundwater has become an issue central to the field of water supply systems. While groundwater is an accessible source for supplying daily needs, it is also a source susceptible to contamination. Once a source of of the pull of gravity. groundwater is compromised, it may take decades for the resource to recover. As human consumption Dissolving Ability places greater demands on these reservoirs of Water possesses the ability to dissolve almost any groundwater, their preservation and care becomes substance, thus it is considered a universal solvent. increasingly important. Definitions of Terms Water Cycle Natural Water Readily found in nature, as impounded from precipitation. Often contains impurities (physical, chemical, bacteriological, or radiological). Purified Water Water that has undergone treatment (either physical, biological, or chemical) to improve water quality. Purification is an artificial means of obtaining chemically pure water. Hydrologic cycle, hydrological cycle or simply water cycle is the process in which water undergoes Contaminated Water continual change in form: liquid, solid (ice) and gas Water with any substance or material that affects the (vapor). It involves several physical processes quality of water and in turn affects the health of an namely: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, individual. infiltration, surface run-off and sub-surface flow. Water cycle as a matter of meteorological principle Polluted Water affect climate. Water with the presence of any foreign substance Properties of Water (organic, inorganic, radiological, biological) which tends to degrade the overall quality so as to impair Heat Capacity the potability of the water, and constitute a hazard to Water has the ability to absorb heat without health. becoming much warmer itself. It has greater heat capacity than any other substance except ammonia. Important Notice: This module is purposely prepared by Ar. Rafael C. Alli, of the Building Technology (BT) and Building Utilities (BU) course cluster for the exclusive use of the students of the College of Architecture (CA), University of Santo Tomas (UST). Any unauthorized reproduction, use, sale or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited and any violation thereof shall be dealt with accordingly. Hard Water Long before large-scale land transportation had been Water with presence of elements such as Calcium established, mankind had already made forays into (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), and Aluminum (al) the use of bodies of water as mediums of transport. which causes hardness. This is characterized by the Waterways were developed for facilitating the difficulty of producing lather from detergents and the passage of water-faring vessels in transporting large presence of scale deposits in pipes and quantities of goods and passengers. heaters/boilers. 5. Cooling Medium Water possesses a remarkable amount of cooling Soft Water properties, such as readily storing heat, dispersing Water without the presence of elements such as large quantities of heat upon evaporation, and calcium and magnesium. This is characterized by the vaporizing readily at temperatures commonly found ease in producing lather from detergents and the upon the surface of human skin. As such, it is used in absence of scale formation in boilers, heaters, and some devices that require the easy and efficient pipes. removal of heat. Grey Water 6. Aesthetic or Architectural Element Water from laundries, washbasins, sinks, showers, Water becomes a point of interest in the field of and bathtubs. landscaping. Key aesthetic applications of water in design include its reflectivity, which creates a Black Water powerful visual tool that delineates itself from Water plus human waste flushed out of toilets and botanical and ground materials in gardens, its urinals. liquidity, which generates unique sounds as it moves, and the life-sustaining potential water possesses, Storm Water which can be used in incorporating waterborne plants Rain and surface runoff. and animals in a garden. Uses of Water 7. Protective Uses Water has long served a vital part in the field of fire prevention and safety. The vast quantities of water 1. Nourishment or Life Sustenance potentially required for firefighting must be delivered Majority of the human body is comprised of water. immediately, necessitating pipes of great water By itself, water alone cannot sustain a person – it is pressure regulated by very powerful valves. Despite the nutrients and minerals suspended within that its size and ubiquitous presence in public spaces, very provide the nourishment a person requires. As such, rarely is a firefighting water supply system integrated the amount of absolutely “pure” water required for visually into aesthetic design. the human body is rather minimal, at only 3 g/cd. 8. Sports and Recreational Uses 2. Cleansing and Hygiene The recreational benefits of bodies of water are many Water is a nearly-ideal medium for the dissolution and varied, ranging from the simple pleasure of the and transport of organic waste, and its high heat pool to the high-energy excitement of competitive storage capacity makes the attainment of comfortable water sports. Boating and fishing also number among temperatures for bathing easy. Larger quantities of these entertaining activities, from adventurous water are utilized in cleaning in comparison to voyages into uncharted waters to lazily drifting in the nourishment. peace of a lake. Public bathing also numbers among these leisurely entertainments, as evidenced by 3. Ceremonial Uses ancient Roman baths and modern Japanese onsen Due to its associations with cleansing and hygiene, (hot springs). water acquired a ceremonial significance that remains particularly evident in religious services across the 9. Therapeutic or Medical Application world. Some notable examples include the use of a One cannot underestimate the healing power of font of holy water in Catholic and Protestant water. Pure water is required to sanitize hospitals as baptismal services, pools in the forecourts of well as prepare sterilized treatments. Water also mosques, and Shinto purification rituals. The assists in helping people suffering muscular atrophy opportunities for esthetic expression are particularly regain sensorimotor functions in their limbs through rich in these ceremonial applications. the gentle environment of a pool, wear the strain upon one’s limbs is lessened within a body of water. 4. Transportation Uses 10. Power Generation other pollutants associated with waste in the Certain types of manmade infrastructure such as water. hydroelectric dams and mills take advantage of large quantities of water flowing at rapid rates to generate 2. Chemical Characteristics power required for their purposes, such as generating Groundwater is particularly susceptible to power or milling grains. chemical alteration because as it moves downward from the surface, it slowly dissolves 11. Industrial Applications minerals contained in rocks and soil. A chemical The many industrial applications of water are varied analysis is usually necessary for testing in their purpose and utility, ranging from those that individual water sources. These analyses usually are life-sustaining in nature to those that support the indicate the following: (1) possible presence of economy. Irrigation plays a vital role in sustaining harmful/objectionable substances, (2) potential human agriculture, which in turn sustains human for corrosion within the water supply system, (3) food supplies for growing populations. Raising fish and the tendency for water to stain fixtures and for food supply requires massive bodies of water to clothing. create safe habitats for them to multiply. The use of water as a means of transportation is also an 2.1. Alkalinity economical means of quickly transporting goods to Caused by carbonate, bicarbonate, or places in need of these supplies. hydroxide components. Testing for these components of water alkalinity is key to deciding which forms of water treatment to Water Quality use. 1. Physical Characteristics Water from surface sources (roof runoff, 2.2. Hardness streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.) is particularly Hardness is a relative term. Hard water subject to physical pollutants. inhibits the cleaning action of soaps and detergents and deposits scales on the insides 1.1. Turbidity of hot water pipes and cooking utensils, thus Turbidity is caused by the presence of wasting fuel and rendering utensils suspended materials (such as clay, silt, other unusable. This is caused by calcium and forms of inorganic material, plankton, or other magnesium salts and can be classified as finely divided organic materials). either temporary (carbonate) or permanent (bicarbonate). Temporary hardness can be 1.2. Color temporarily removed by heating, but it still Often caused by dissolved organic matter, forms scales. such as decaying vegetation. Some of the contaminants responsible for altering the color 2.3. Toxic Substances of water include organic matter and These are occasionally present in water microorganisms. Similar to turbidity, such supplies. Authorities have established changes in water color does not always information about the concentration of these constitute a threat to health, but often pose a toxic substances, which include arsenic psychological aversion. (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cyanides (CN), fluoride (F), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), 1.3. Taste and Odor and silver (Ag). Caused by organic compounds. Can only be treated after a chemical analysis has identified 2.3.1. Chlorides what source is responsible. Chlorides can enter water as it passes through geological deposits formed by 1.4. Temperature marine sediment, or as a result of In general, water supplied between 50o – 60o F contamination from pollution from sea (10 – 16o C) is preferable. water, brine, or industrial wastes. 1.5. Foamability 2.3.2. Copper Usually caused by detergent concentration. Copper can enter water through natural While the foam itself does not pose a serious deposits, or copper piping that contains health threat, it may indicate the presence of corrosive water.  2.3.3. Iron Nonliving packs of proteins that infect Iron is frequently present in groundwater. biological systems and cause diseases. Corrosive water in iron pipes will also contribute to iron deposits in water. 4. Radiological Characteristics The mining and usage of radioactive materials in 2.3.4. Manganese industry and power plants produces pollution in Manganese can both produce a some water supplies. Since radioactive effects psychological threat are cumulative, concentrations of radioactive 2.3.5. Nitrates material should be kept low. At high levels of concentration, nitrates Water Sources pose a threat to infants, as one of the causes of blue baby syndrome Surface Water (methemoglobinemia), wherein the Surface water can be a mixture of surface run-off and amount of oxygen in the blood is severely groundwater. Surface sources include rivers, lakes, limited. In shallow wells, nitrate ponds, and impounding reservoirs. concentrations can indicate seepage from deposits of livestock manure. Groundwater The portion of rainwater that has percolated into the 2.3.6. Pesticides earth and formed underground deposits called These pose a growing threat to water aquifers (water-bearing soil-formations). As a source supplies and are particularly common in of water, groundwater can by extracted in many wells near homes that have been treated different ways. for termite infestations. It is important to avoid the use of pesticides near wells. Wells Wells are holes in the earth from which a fluid may 2.3.7. Sodium be withdrawn using manual or mechanical means, Sodium primarily poses a threat to those such as a draw bucket, a pump, etc. with heart, kidney, or circulatory ailments. For a low-sodium diet, the sodium in 1.0 Water Wells water must not exceed 20 mg/l. Water that flows into wells is called 2.3.8. Sulfates groundwater. This water Possess laxative effects. Sulfates can enter comes from rain that is groundwater through natural deposits of absorbed into the ground salts. and slowly filtered through the different 2.3.9. Zinc layers of the ground and Sometimes enters groundwater in areas into groundwater where it is in abundance. While not a reservoirs known as aquifers. The top part of this major health threat, at concentrations zone is called the water table, the level at which above 5 mg/l, it can induce an undesirable water stands in a well that is not being pumped. taste. 1.1. Dug Wells 3. Biological Characteristics Potable water must be kept as free as possible from disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, protozoans, and viruses. 3.1. Bacteria Primarily E. coli bacteria pose a threat to health. 3.2. Protozoa Little microorganisms that may contaminate water. 3.3. Viruses These can be constructed with hand tools or power tools, and can be dug to a depth of about  15 meters (50 feet) and can have the greatest in the removal of particles of earth, which are diameter that a space may allow. then brought to the surface. After the drill pipe is withdrawn, a casing is lowered into position. 1.2. Driven Wells Another method is the down-the-hole These are the pneumatic (air) hammer, which combines the simplest and usually percussion effect with the rotary drill bit. the least expensive. A steel drive-well point is fitted on one End end of the pipe section and driven into the earth. The drive point is usually 1 ¼ in. to 2 inches (32 – 51 mm) in diameter. The point may be driven into the ground to a depth of up to 15 meters (50 feet). 1.3. Bored Wells Dug with earth augers, are usually less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep. These are used when the earth to be bored is free of boulders and will not cave in. The diameter ranges from 2 to 30 inches. The well is lined with either metal, vitrified tile, or concrete. 1.4. Drilled Wells These require more elaborate types of equipment, depending on the geology of the site. As such, these can measure up to 300 meters (984 feet). The Percussion (or Cable Tool) Method involves the raising and dropping of a heavy drill bit and stem. Having thus pulverized, the earth being drilled is mixed with water to form a slurry which is periodically removed. As drilling proceeds, a casing is also lowered (except when drilling through rock). Rotary Drilling (Either Hydraulic or Pneumatic) utilizes a cutting bit at the lower end of the drill pipe; a drilling fluid (or pressurized air) is constantly pumped to the cutting bit to aid