WATER RETICULATION SYSTEM

1.0 Introduction

The reticulation system is a perforated pipe that saturates the surrounding soil with
termite treating chemicals when under pressure. Ideally a reticulation system should be
installed to the perimeter of a building just after construction and before any additional slabs
are laid.

The water delivery systems are mostly owned by local government and these
networks are part of the planning when communities or municipalities set up residential
areas. It requires design and planning and city planners and civil engineers are hired to work
out all the details before crews install. Factors come into account like pipe size, location,
future expansion, possible leakage, pressure factors and access for the fire department.

Maintenance is the final factor in keeping the water flowing to consumers. Water
networks require constant monitoring and if there is a problem it needs to be fixed. Not only
it is a customer service priority, but with areas that suffer droughts, water cannot be wasted.
There is a big focus on the ecology and many city councils have driven on not wasting water.
In some countries there are even water restrictions during times of low supply.

2.0 The Path of a Water Reticulation System

The water supply has to be collected, treated and then distributed through a water reticulation
system.

1. Water collection
- Water has to be collected from a source. Most commonly the water supply comes
from surface water, from a river or lake. It can even come from an underground
source like a well or underground aquifer. Officials install pipes which transfer the
water to a water treatment plant.
2. Water Treatment
- It is a global policy (by the WHO: World Health Organization) that all large
systems of water needs to be treated before it reaches consumers. The water from
the water collection source needs to be purified, which broadly consists of three
steps:
 i. Clarification – Particles like dirt or organic matter are separated from
the water. Chemicals like ferric chloride are added to destabilize the
particles.
ii. Filtration – Next the water needs to be filtered to remove smaller
particles. This is achieved through a sand, anthracite or activated
carbon filter.
iii. Disinfection – The most preferred method of disinfection is through
chlorine addition. The chlorine kills bacteria as well as any viruses.
This serves to protect the water as it travels through the water
reticulation system.
3. Water Reticulation System
- This is basically the water distribution network and once the water has been
collected and treated it needs to get to the consumer. Water is supplied today most
commonly through an infrastructure of pipes. These pipes are most commonly
constructed from plastic, metal (ferric) or concrete. Water is delivered by making
use of the scientific principles of pressure and the energy created delivers the
water to its destination.

3.0 Water Reticulation Design

4.0 Water Authority

5.0 Water Supply System

6.0 Design Guidelines
6.0.1 Water demand guidelines
6.0.2 Water demand criteria

6.0.3 Typical design criteria