Zoning for Water Distribution System
Zoning is the division of command area in to manageable small parts which have some similarity in property, requirement or function. Zoning helps in reducing the scope of problem to smaller modules, which can be tackled easily with existing tools and resources.
In town planning, Zones are used to demarcate areas reserved for specific proposes like the purpose of land use like Green Zone for agriculture, Industrial zone for industries etc. Generally a city or town is divided in number of wards for municipal management and for election of citizen repetitive. The city office has such maps and the authorities find it easy to organize the service work force accordingly. However zoning for design of water distribution requires more scientific approach and cannot adopt the same zones. There are obvious reasons. The requirement of water distribution system is equitable supply of water to all area with sufficient pressure and with cost optimization as regards both capital as well as maintenance cost.
Zoning is governed by many factors
Ø Location service areas- In case of rural water supply schemes, villages are clusters of population separated by long distances and village has to become one separate zone
Ø Population density - In order to achieve optimization in pipe sizes it necessary to divide the area in subparts which have equal water demand. Naturally, depending upon the density variations, the zones can be of various sizes. In densely populated area, zones will be smaller in size area wise and in the outskirts, where the area is not developed fully; the zone can cover large area.
Ø Type of construction. - From the point of fire fighting requirements, type of buildings also decide zone demarcation. Multistoried buildings can be provided with larger pipes to get required pressure.
Ø Type of activity -
Ø In case of industries, the requirement of water is not similar to that of residential area, Market place or garden also would demand different water supply. Zoning needs to be done taking this point in view.
Ø Physical barrier like express highway, canal, river or railway track also would force zone to be restricted.
Ø Topological characteristics example of Pophali
Type of water distribution system also would govern zoning.
1)Radial system
2)Tree or dead end system
3)Grid iron system
4)Ring system 5)Hybrid system
