Reservoirs and Storage Tanks

Contents:
1. Importance of Reservoirs and Storage Tanks
2. Types of Reservoirs
3. Design of Reservoirs
4. Reservoir Appurtenances
5. Reservoir Design Example
Importance of Reservoirs and Storage Tanks
To satisfy hourly variations in the consumption rate.
To equalize pressure throughout the distribution
system.
To reduce or break excessive pressures.
To provide for repair of pipes between the source and
the tank without interruption of service.
To provide extra storage for fire protection.
To conserve flow during low demand periods (night).
To serve as surge tank.
To serve as a point for service disinfection.
Types of Reservoirs
Fill and Draw System

Water is pumped or
transferred by
gravity directly into
the reservoir, and
from the reservoir
water supply is
distributed to the
consumers
Types of Reservoir
Floating On The Line System
Water is supplied
both into the
reservoir and to the
consumers. Water
goes up to the tank
when the water
demand is low or if
there is a residual
water supply. Water
is withdrawn from
the tank during
peak demand.
Design of Reservoirs
1. Capacity :
 Q/ADD < 1
 ???? Reevaluate (Find additional water source)
 Q/ADD between 1 and 2
½ of ADD
 Q/ADD between 2 and 3
 1/4 of ADD
 Q/ADD between 3 and 4
 1/8 of ADD
 Q/ADD > 4
 No Storage Required
Design of Reservoirs
2. Site of the Reservoir :
 Natural elevated places should be given the first
priority.
 Pipe size from source to reservoir is based on Average
Day Demand. The size of pipe from reservoir to
consumers is Peak Hour Demand hence, it would be
bigger. SO PUT STORAGE TANK CLOSE TO
CONSUMERS TO REDUCE PIPING COSTS!!!
Design of Reservoir
3. Structural Design:
 Must meet the standards set by the National Structural
Code of the Philippines.
 Strong enough to withstand all loads such as
hydrostatic pressure, earth pressure, wind loads,
seismic loads and other dead or live loads.
Reservoir Appurtenances
1. Inlet Line – the size of the inlet line shall be determined by the
supply and demand requirements. The inlet line on all reservoirs
must have a shut off valve located adjacent to the reservoir.
2. Outlet Line – like the inlet line, the size of the outlet line is
determined by the supply and demand requirements. The upstream
end of the outlet pipe is usually installed at least 5 cms above the
floor of the reservoir creating a dead volume of water. This dead
volume of water at the bottom of the reservoir acts as settling zone,
where particles are allowed to settle, and prevent bottom sediments
from entering the water distribution line. The outlet line must also
have a shut off valve located adjacent to the reservoir.
3. Drain Line – a drain line is provided for draining and cleaning of
the reservoir. To facilitate cleaning, the floor or base of the reservoir
is sloped to the drain.
Reservoir Appurtenances
4. Air Vents – provided in reservoirs to allow air to escape fast
enough before pressure can build up inside the reservoir
during filling. It also allows air to enter the reservoir to replace
water being drawn out so that a vacuum in the reservoir may
not occur which may result in the damaging or collapsing of
the reservoir. It should be designed to prevent rain or surface
water from entering, and to minimize dust getting into the
reservoir. Air vents must be screened with fine mesh wire to
keep out bats, birds, mosquitoes, and other insects
5. Overflow Line – provided to allow anticipated overflow. It
should also be provided with screens to prevent the entry of
animals or other possible pollutants.
Reservoir Appurtenances
6. Manholes and Covers – serves as entrance during repair,
cleaning and maintenance. Should be placed slightly raised
above the roof level to prevent the entry of surface water
which may contain pollutants. The cover prevents the sun’s
rays from filtering into the tank and thus promote algal
growth.
7. Water Level Indicators – used to indicate the water level
inside the reservoir. Depth gauges using a float and wire are
normally used.
8. Control Valves – the flow into the reservoir maybe stopped
manually or automatically by a float valve or a pressure switch
or equivalent device.
Design Example:
Design Data:

Rural - Level III

2010 Population - 500 people
Project life – 10 years
Population Growth Rate – 3%
Measured Spring Source Flow - 1.5 liters/second
Design Population
PD = PP(1+r)N
500(1+.03)10= 670 (2020 Population)

Average Day Demand

 ADD = PD x Per Capita Use (lpcd)

 ADD = 670 x 60 = 40,200 lpcd

Spring Source Flow
1.5 liters per second (convert to liters per day)
= 1.5 lps x 24 hrs/day x 60 min/hr x 60 sec/min
=129,600 liters/day

Tank Size
 Q/ADD = 129,600/40,200 = 3.22
 Tank Size = 0.125 x 40,200 = 5,025 liters
Learning Objectives:
1. Importance of Reservoirs and Storage Tanks
2. Types of Reservoirs
3. Design of Reservoirs
4. Reservoir Appurtenances
5. Reservoir Design Example