Selection of a site for intake construction

COLLECTION AND CONVEYENCE OF WATER

INTAKE STRUCTURES

Intakes or intake structures are masonry or concrete structures whose function is to provide calm and still water, free from floating matter for water supply.

Intakes consists of the opening, strainers or gratings through which the water enters and the conduit for conveying the water, usually by gravity to a sump well. From the well the water is pumped to the treatment plant.

SELECTION OF A SITE FOR INTAKE CONSTRUCTION

While selecting a site for intakes, the points to be kept in mind are.

i)                   Intake work should provide good quality water so that its treatment may become less exhaustive

ii)                Heavy water currents should not strike the structure directly

iii)              Approach to the intakes should be easy

iv)              As far as possible intakes should not be selected in the vicinity of sewage disposal

v)                Selection of site should be nearer to the treatment plant so that it reduces the cost of conveyance of water

vi)              They should not be located in navigation channels

vii)           In meandering rivers, the intakes should not be located on curves or at least on sharp curves

viii)         Intake must be located at a place from where it can draw water even during the driest periods of the year.

ix)              Site should be such as to permit greater withdrawal of water, if required of a future date.