Systematic oversizing of service lines and water meters

Abstract

AbstractSizing service lines and water meters for buildings is a common exercise with important implications for utilities and consumers. Selecting the diameter of a service line requires designers to balance economics and performance. Small‐diameter pipes may minimize cost but impair service with high head loss; larger pipes may ensure adequate pressure but increase the cost of the premise plumbing system. The water meter must also be sized to perform reliably and accurately while measuring both high and low flows. In this investigation, flow data from 43 buildings fitted with water‐conserving fixtures were collected at 10‐s logging intervals for 2 weeks. It was found that 37 of the 43 sites would likely have benefited from a smaller water meter. Of the 37 sites, 29 could likely have also been fitted with a smaller service line and not violated a 10‐ft/s water‐velocity limit that some building codes impose.