Water mains should primarily be sized based on what criteria?

The sizing of water mains is critically influenced by the need to provide adequate fire flow at an appropriate pressure. Fire flow refers to the volume of water that must be available to effectively fight a fire, and it is a crucial consideration in water distribution systems. This requirement ensures community safety and compliance with fire code standards, as having insufficient flow or pressure can hinder firefighting efforts and potentially result in significant damage or loss during a fire incident.

In addition to fire flow, water mains must also meet daily consumption needs and peak demands, but ensuring that sufficient water is available for fire protection is often prioritized. If a water main cannot support the necessary flow for firefighting, it compromises the entire water supply system’s purpose of safeguarding public health and property.

While population served and seasonal water demand are important factors in determining overall water system capacity, they do not take precedence over fire flow requirements. Similarly, cost considerations are relevant, but they should not be the primary driver when public safety is at stake, making adequate fire flow the key criterion in sizing water mains.