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water service maximum lengths 1

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rogerstv

Civil/Environmental
Oct 28, 2004
16
I am looking for a chart that contains recommended maximum lengths for water service lines based upon the pipe diameter. It is helpful in giving a home owner a recommendation as to what size of service to run from the main to their house in a rural water supply system. I have seen it in the past. Does anyone have this chart? Thank you in advance.
 
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You can probably find such a chart in the Uniform Plumbing Code. Use it with caution however because the maximum length is a function of more factors than simply the pipe diameter. You also need to know the available pressure, required flow, pipe size, material, and elevation difference between the main and the highest water demand fixture.

Good luck
 
Check out AWWA Manual 22, Sizing Water Service Lines and Meters. It has pressure and flow tables for various sizes (1/2" thru 12") of different materials (copper, iron, plastic, etc.). Amount of flow depends upon, of course, length, diameter, pipe material, and supply pressure.
 
Typically, the owner/user must use a standard service line specified by the local public works engineering department. Check w/ the City Public Works - Engr Dept or local Water District - Engr Dept and see what standard engineering details/drawings they have for existing/new water service connections.
 
PS - Typically, making sure you have enough pressure to get the water to the end user would be your the limiting factor, rather than the max pipe run.
 
Thank you all for the replies. I understand the potential complexities (sp?) associated with water piping. However, there exists a chart that can be used a general "rule of thumb" for service lines from rural water mains or any main for that matter. It is used more in rural water because of the variations in service line lengths.

For instance, a house within 500 feet of the main is able to get by with the standard 1" diameter service piping while someone 750' away from the main will need an 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" pipe to realize the same volume and pressure. At 1000' or greater pipe size needs to change to 2". I know it exists for I have seen it. Problem is the person that had it once can not produce it again and no longer works for the same company.

I guess the answer to my problem may be to create my own chart by finding where friction loss of various diamter piping for a particular length exceeds any normal operating pressure.

Make any sense????? Does this sound feasible?
 
look at Hazen Williams book of Hydraulic Tables which should give you all the info you need
 
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