Building Water Mains - Practice Problem

The pressure in a city water main is 50 psi. The pressure loss through piping, fittings, and the water meter can be ignored for this exercise. What is the height above the water main, above which the water will not flow? Round to the nearest foot.

Given:

P=0.433 x h

A: 115’

Explanation:

P=0.433 x h

50psi = 0.433 x h

50psi \ 0.433 = h

115 = h

Answer: If you extend a pipe to 116 feet high, there will be no water pressure at that altitude in that pipe.