Design of Small Water Systems

General. This manual provides information of interest to planners and designers of small water systems. Such systems generally cannot benefit from economies of scale, and proper management and operation are critical to produce satisfactory finished water quality. The major emphasis of this manual is on the design of systems that will be effective and reliable, requiring a level of operation and management activity commensurate with their physical size and the available sources.

Purpose. This manual provides guidance and criteria for the design of small water supply, treatment, and distribution systems. For the purpose of this manual, small water systems shall be those having average daily design flow rates of 380,000 liters per day (100 000 gallons per day) or less.