Mech/Elec ALS Lesson Seven - Water Supply And Drainage Systems

(Attacking the lessons out of order, I joined an online study group, we will be covering a topic a day, I will get back to lesson 1)

Topics:
Intro
Supply-Acidity

INTRO
Supply & Waste
Supply = provides clean, clear, potable(drinkable) water for drinking, cooking, washing, industrial process, etc.
Lines are under pressure and can run vertically, usually in smaller pipes than for waste.

Sanitary Waste = removes contaminated water and is usually not under pressure, commonly drained by gravity requiring sloped piping.

Storm drains = for rainwater, also drained by gravity and usually have larger piping.

All systems are separate from eachother.

SUPPLY - Acidity
Water needs to be clean clear and potable(suitable for drinking).
Potential contaminants to be considered:

Acidity: rainfall is slightly acidic measured by the pH, higher acidity = lower pH number
Neutral = pH of 7
Slightly acidic = pH of 6.9 to 6.0
Very acidic = pH of 5
A basic or alkaline solution = pH above 7 up to 14 being the most alkaline or "basic" solution
(online resource for more info on pH and explanation of basic/alkaline)

Natural acidic state of rain water has been worsened due to air pollution, especially sulfur and nitrogen compunds.
These combine with moisture to form sulfiric acid (most common) or nitric acid (less common)

This has raised the acidity of many fresh water lakes where no or few fish are able to survive any longer.

Problem for plumbing systems:
Higher acidity can corrode metal pipes.
Water is less potable
Therefore, Rain water and surface runoff is less healthy than water absorbed and partially filtered through the ground.