In the context of water infrastructure, supply mains refer to critical components designed for the large-scale movement of water within a system.
Based on the provided reference, supply main means any main, pipe, aqueduct or canal the primary purpose of which is to convey water from one unit to another unit in the source of supply, water treatment or pumping plant and generally providing no service connections with customers.
Understanding Supply Mains
A supply main plays a vital role in transporting raw or partially treated water between major facilities within a water supply network, rather than delivering it directly to end-users.
Key Characteristics
According to the definition, supply mains typically exhibit the following features:
- Structure: They can take various forms, including:
- Pipes
- Mains (a general term for large pipes)
- Aqueducts
- Canals
- Primary Purpose: Their main function is to convey water from one unit to another unit.
- Location in System: These units are typically found within the early stages of the water supply chain, such as:
- Source of supply (e.g., reservoir, river intake)
- Water treatment plant
- Pumping plant
- Customer Connections: A defining characteristic is that they generally provide no service connections with customers. This distinguishes them from distribution mains, which branch off to serve individual properties.
Role in Water Systems
Supply mains are the arteries that move bulk water volumes between the core facilities. For instance, a large pipe might act as a supply main transporting raw water from a reservoir to a treatment plant, or moving treated water from the plant to a major pumping station or storage facility.
Unlike the smaller pipes you see running down residential streets connecting to houses, supply mains handle the heavy lifting of moving water between the main operational hubs of the system. Their design prioritizes capacity and efficient transfer between these points.
In summary, a supply main is a high-capacity conduit used for inter-facility water transfer within the initial stages of a water supply network, distinct from the mains that serve individual customers.
