Description

Water mains form the foundation of a good water supply. Size, location, tie-ins, and materials, along with proper maintenance, all affect the quality and quantity of water service delivered. For this reason, communities and water departments must consider the quality, capability, and reliability of new system installations and retrofits. The fire department should be consulted any time that modifications are made to a system to assure that fire department requirements are met, and that the system will supply enough pressure and quantity of water for fire protection purposes.
The first fire mains in the Colonies were hollowed-out logs. Water mains today generally are constructed out of cast iron, ductile iron, steel, cement asbestos, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or a combination of these materials.
Water mains usually have the larger diameter pipe closer to the water source. From that point to the end user, the size gradually decreases .