I do not have a connection to the public drinking water supply at home (instead, I use a spring and a well). Now, the electricity grid operator has planned a new power line and has offered to lay a (private) water pipe in their trench. The water supplier offers me a connection to their public network about 600 meters (660 yards) from my two-family house (from there, my private water supply line would start). There are a few minor challenges—perhaps someone here has experience and can offer advice on the following aspects:
- The energy grid operator digs 80 cm (31 inches) deep, while the water supplier usually digs 100 cm (39 inches). I assume and hope that 80 cm (31 inches) is frost-proof here in the Rhineland.
- The private line contains about 600 liters (160 gallons) of water. How can I ensure a minimum flow rate so that the water does not stagnate in the pipe?
- The water meter is far away. If a leak occurs along the 600-meter (660-yard) pipe and I read the meter six months later, I will probably face bankruptcy. Fortunately, we do not have a sewer connection and therefore no wastewater fees.
- The energy grid operator is allowed to lay their lines on public land, but I am not. What kind of permit do I need (from the city) if I use the same trench? (Of course, I will ask the city about this.)
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karl.jonas4 Feb 2023 22:59xMisterDx schrieb:
Are you really about 40m (130 feet) lower? Or was a larger size assumed?I calculated using a DN40 (1.5 inch) pipe and got about 0.5 bar pressure loss through the line with an online calculator. Regarding the slope, it depends on where the pipeline starts—the location is on a hillside. I’m attaching an elevation profile (from Tim-Online), showing about 8 m (26 feet) of slope from the town center (the supply is on the left side).xMisterDx schrieb:
30 liters per minute (8 gallons per minute) is quite a lot; a standard showerhead uses around 12–15 liters per minute (3–4 gallons per minute).If I have two showers running at the same time in a duplex, that should still be fine, right?The costs come from several factors. Initial quotes for just the bare pipe are about €2,500 (internet estimate, excluding delivery and installation) or €6,000 (local civil engineer, pipe installed in a trench by the utility company). Then connections are required at both ends, probably involving a chamber, meter, and pressure reducer. Possibly there will also be notary fees. And in the worst case, other requirements could apply, such as deeper pipe installation.
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xMisterDx4 Feb 2023 23:24You see, your data is completely plausible. DN40 causes a pressure loss of 0.23 bar over 600 m (0.23 psi over 1968 ft) at 30 liters per minute (7.9 gallons per minute). DN25 already has a pressure loss of 2.7 bar in this case.
That’s why it simply doesn’t make sense that using DN50 over 150 m (492 ft) would lead to such an extreme additional effort that would become unaffordable.
Because making the pipe two sizes larger is hardly a big deal. Does the excavator bucket for the trench have a width of 40 cm (16 inches)? Then you can fit both DN25 and DN40 just fine...
That’s why it simply doesn’t make sense that using DN50 over 150 m (492 ft) would lead to such an extreme additional effort that would become unaffordable.
Because making the pipe two sizes larger is hardly a big deal. Does the excavator bucket for the trench have a width of 40 cm (16 inches)? Then you can fit both DN25 and DN40 just fine...
Unfortunately, I am not a professional.
The utility provider just gave me this argument.
Everything would have been possible.
For us, the 25,000€ for 49m (54 yards) was simply too expensive.
Maybe it was also due to the connection line 150m (164 yards) away, to which we would have been connected.
Ultimately, I just wanted to share our experience with the OP.
The utility provider just gave me this argument.
Everything would have been possible.
For us, the 25,000€ for 49m (54 yards) was simply too expensive.
Maybe it was also due to the connection line 150m (164 yards) away, to which we would have been connected.
Ultimately, I just wanted to share our experience with the OP.
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