Module 4 - Construction of a gravity fed system

Fig.15: Example of tapstand . A piece of wood is used to avoid erosion of concrete and
splashes of water
III.5. PIPELINES
III.5.1.
Pipes and pipes fittings
→ Choice of pipe
As we saw in the Module II, plastic pipe (PE or PVC) are preferred to GI pipes for the
construction of GFS in rural area. When PE pipe and fitting are locally available, then PE is
preferred to PVC. If not, PVC pipes will be used. for some parts of the network, GI pipes are
used:
• Plastic pipe must be imperatively buried, because they are very sensitive to shock and
sunlight. When (and only when) it is completely impossible to burry the pipe (rocks, or
when the pipeline cross a guley, or a river), then GI pipes should be used. Platic pipes
can either be put inside GI pipe of larger diameter, or connected to GI pipe of same
diameter using GI/PE or GI/PVC adaptor
• It is not recommended to use plastic pipe when pipes are cast in concrete. For exemple,
for tapstand’s pipes, GI pipe must be used.
Please refer to Module II for more details on how to choose the type and diameter of pipe
→ Valves and taps
Various types of valves and taps presented in table 9
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