CHAPTER FIVE
INTAKE WORKS
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Intake
An intake is the structure placed in the water source to withdraw water
safely from the source.
It consists an intake conduit with a screen at its inlet end and a valve to
control the flow of water
An intake should allow continuous abstraction of the design flow from the
source.
The functioning of a water supply scheme largely depends on the intake.
An intake may consists of coarse or fine screens for screening of small
floating or suspended matters and a valve to control the flow of water.
As each source is unique, intake design is site specific and needs appropriate
considerations.
Its construction needs special supervision to ensure that flow from the source
is not disturbed and the chances of contamination are minimized.
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Factors governing the site selection for intake
Located in that place where quality of water is good and upstream of
sewage disposal point.
Location so as to ensure the supply even in worst condition. (water is
available in dry period also)
Location should be such that future expansion is possible.
The site should not be erodible and free from landslide.
Easily accessible for
regular inspection and
cleaning during operation
and maintenance.
Locate on the outer bend of
the curve in case of
meandering river.
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Types of Intake (based on type of source)
I) Spring intake
II) Stream intake/ River intake
III) Reservoir intake
IV) Lake Intake
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I) Spring Intake:
A spring intake is provided to abstract water from a spring source.
It is generally constructed in small rural water supply scheme in Nepal.
It also prevents outside water and other sources of pollutants from entering
into the transmission main.
The intake thus protects the water from getting contaminated.
Very low yield spring flow source (< 0.05 lps) should not be tapped for
gravity flow schemes.
Proper drainage should be provided around the spring source to divert the
runoff water and prevent it from damaging the intake.
A drainage diversion ditch should be dug at a distance of at least 8 m above
and around the spring to divert the surface water away.
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Following requirements should be kept in mind while locating a spring intake
wherever as possible:
As close to the source as possible
Above populated or farming areas
Above foot path, cattle watering, and washing places
Where the immediate surrounding above the spring not easily accessible to
people and livestock
Where the general conditions of the terrain does not allow water logging
Where surface water runoff during monsoon can be easily drained off
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II) River Intake:
An intake tower constructed at the bank or inside of the river to withdraw
water is called river intake.
Water from the river is always drawn from the upstream side, because it is
free from the contamination caused by the disposal of sewage in it.
As per their construction, river intake may be dry type or wet type.
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a) Dry river intake:
If gates are closed, there is
no water inside the intake
tower (well).
Hence these are called dry
intakes.
Water through entry port is
directly passed into the
convey pipes.
These intakes consist of
circular or rectangular,
masonry or RCC intake
tower from where water can
be withdrawal even in the
dry period. 14
Several inlets called
penstocks for drawing water
are provided at the different
levels to permit the
withdrawal of water when the
water level drops.
All inlet ends are provided
with screen (to prevent the
entry of floating matters) with
valves to control the flow of
water operation from the
control room.
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b) Wet river intake:
These intakes are normally constructed inside the river.
In this case, there is water inside the intake tower even if the inlet valves
are closed. The water level is practically the same as the water level of the
source of supply.
Since these types of intakes remain wet, inspection is difficult.
It consists of inner and outer concrete shell.
The wall of outer shell consists of inlet with or without screen at different
levels.
Inner shell also consists of openings provided with gates and water
withdrawal conduit to convey water under the gravity to the treatment plant
directly or sump well at the bank, from where water can be pumped to
treatment plant.
Outer shell is always filled with water hence it is wet intake.
Also sometimes known as jack well or sump well
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Wet Intake 17
Stream Intake:
A stream intake is built when a stream is selected as the water source.
The characteristics of a stream intake depends on the type of stream, its
morphology and the expected maximum and minimum flows.
Generally a sedimentation tank needs to be constructed with a stream
intake.
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The following points are considered while locating the site for a stream
intake:
On a stream whose watershed has good vegetation cover
Upstream of populated or farming areas, especially where chemical
fertilizers are used
Upstream of foot path, bridge, cattle watering and washing places
Where immediate upstream is not easily accessible to both people and
livestock
Where the ground is firm
Preferably at the outside of the bend of stream
Should withstand floods
Should facilitate easy removal of sediments
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III) Reservoir Intake:
There is a large variation in the discharge of river during monsoon and
summer.
When there is no sufficient water in dry period the water in monsoon is
collected in impounded reservoir by constructing weirs or dams across the
river.
The intake tower used in such cases is called reservoir intakes.
Two types of reservoir intakes are commonly used to suit the type of dam
constructed.
One type is at the slope of earthen dams, other type is within the dam itself.
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Fig: intake-towers-of-the-hoover-dam-on-the-border-between-the-states-of-bb7ntx
In case of earthen dam, the intake may consist of an intake tower
constructed on the upstream toe at dam from where intake can draw
sufficient quantity of water even in the driest period.
The water is withdrawn through intake pipes located at different levels with
a common vertical pipe so as to draw water in the driest period.
Inlet of intake pipes are covered by screen to control the floating materials.
The intake pipe is provided with valves to control flow from control room.
When valves are open, the water enters to intake pipe and flow through
common vertical pipe and then conveyed to the treatment plant from outlet
pipe.
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In case of RCC masonry dams dry intake is constructed inside the dam
itself and only the pipes are provided at various levels with control valves.
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IV) Lake Intake:
It is a submersible intake normally constructed at the central portion of the
bed of lake for withdrawal of water because maximum depth of water is
available at the central portion of natural lake.
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Another type of similar intake constructed in the lake where an intake
conduit laid on the bed of lake with its inlet end raised in the middle of
the lake projecting above the bed.
The water enters in the pipe through the bell mouth (may be with screen)
and flows under gravity to treatment plant directly or to the sump well
from where it can be pumped to treatment plant.
There is no danger from floating matters due to its submersible intake.
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Fig: City of Toledo's Water Intake in Lake Erie Toxic Algal Bloom 27
End
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