How water from Godavari will reach Hyderabad?

Ever wondered how water begin its journey from river to taps? Though the process of creating such a system is long and strenuous, but the idea of knowing the same is fairly simple and fascinating. Hyderabad is going to draw drinking, potable water from Yellampally barrage connected to the river Godavari. It is an ambitious project for Telangana government in bringing approximately 180 million gallons per day (MGD) of water to the city of Hyderabad.

Topography plays an important role in determining a river’s course. Godavari flows toward Eastern Ghats before draining into the Bay of Bengal and Hyderabad is located to the opposite side of the very same river. Disturbing the flow of river can lead to floods and land sliding. The only way to tackle this issue is by introducing the Principles of Control Systems. Constructing a barrage, which is like a reservoir with multiple gates used for controlling the water flow is ideally the only option. One such barrage is the ‘Yellampally Godavari barrage’ near Manchiryal in Adilabad district.

The total length of the pipeline from Yellampally barrage in Adilabad to Shamirpet in Ranga-Reddy district is 186km. Bernoulli’s theory says that, in a fluid flowing pipeline, the diameter of the pipe determines the pressure. Keeping this in mind, there has to be multiple barrages and valves at ideal distances to control the pressure of water. More of such barrages are located in Karimnagar district, Kukatpally and Shamirpet of Ranga-Reddy district. Water is then siphoned to treatment plants for purification and chemical treatment.

River water contains huge amount of mud particles and pathogens that can cause some water-borne diseases. Hence, it is mandatory to treat the water before transferring it to a final cistern. These cisterns are usually located at an elevated land so that gravity powers the water flow. In case the gravity flow is impractical, a pumping station is needed at the outlet of the cistern that does the work of gravity. Finally through a pipe network water is distributed to the consumers all the way to the last house.

So the next time before drawing water from a tap, spare a moment to think about this fine, structural engineering that exist and that too you have the final control to save or waste what comes out of it.

By:Amit Sengupta