How to build a perfect drainage system?

NGÀY ĐĂNG 18/09/2025

Admin

If you want to own a modern, convenient home, a perfect water supply and drainage system is the key element. It ensures a clean water supply, efficient wastewater treatment, and brings comfort to your life. Let’s explore how to build this system from the very first steps to make your dream home a reality!

Overview of the Water Supply and Drainage System

What is a Water Supply and Drainage System?

A water supply and drainage system is a collection of equipment, pipelines, and structures designed to supply clean water and treat wastewater in construction works such as residential houses, buildings, and industrial areas. Simply put, the water supply and drainage system is the network that distributes clean water from natural sources or storage tanks to buildings, regulates the water supply (ensuring sufficient water for living and production), and collects and transports wastewater to wastewater treatment plants. This system consists of two main components:

Water Supply System

Ensures clean water is provided from sources (such as wells, water stations, reservoirs) to usage points such as sinks, showers, and washing machines.
It includes components like water tanks, pumps, pipes, control valves, and water treatment equipment if necessary.

Drainage System

Collects and treats wastewater from daily activities, rainwater, or industrial operations before releasing it into the environment.
It includes components like water traps (P-traps), drainage pipes, manholes, and wastewater treatment systems.

Importance of Water Supply and Drainage Systems in Life and Construction

Ensuring Clean Water Supply

The water supply system is the source of clean water for daily living and production. Clean water is essential for health, personal hygiene, cooking, and other daily activities. In construction works, ensuring a stable and safe water supply is a prerequisite for maintaining operations.

Efficient Wastewater Treatment and Drainage

The drainage system helps remove wastewater from daily activities and rainwater quickly, preventing flooding and environmental pollution. This is especially important in urban areas with high population density and large amounts of wastewater.

Protecting the Environment and Public Health

A properly designed and operated drainage system helps prevent pollution of water, soil, and air. It also contributes to limiting the spread of waterborne infectious diseases, such as diarrhea and Hepatitis A.

Increasing the Lifespan of Buildings

An efficient water supply and drainage system helps protect the foundation and structure of buildings from negative water impacts such as leakage, erosion, or mold. This extends the lifespan of the building and reduces maintenance and repair costs.

Improving Quality of Life

A complete water supply and drainage system provides comfort and safety, allowing residents to enjoy daily living conveniences without worrying about water quality or wastewater treatment.

Meeting Sustainable Development Requirements

In the context of urbanization and climate change, water supply and drainage systems play a crucial role in utilizing water resources efficiently and protecting the environment. They are also key to building green, environmentally friendly structures.

Benefits of a Perfect Water Supply and Drainage System

For the Community

• Protecting Health
  Providing clean and safe water helps reduce the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and Hepatitis A. It also prevents the spread of epidemics, contributing to public health, especially in densely populated urban areas.

• Protecting the Environment
  Minimizing surface and groundwater pollution, preserving natural ecosystems, and maintaining balance in aquatic ecosystems contribute to biodiversity conservation. It also helps reduce flooding during the rainy season and effectively addresses drought conditions.

• Promoting Socio-Economic Development
  The system supports industrial and agricultural production by ensuring a stable water supply. Good water infrastructure attracts investment, promotes tourism, and other service sectors. It also contributes to improving the quality of life, thus fostering sustainable social development.

For Individuals

• Convenience in Daily Life
  Ensures a continuous supply of clean water for daily activities such as cooking, bathing, and washing. It minimizes common issues like blockages and leaks, helping maintain a clean and safe living environment.

• Cost Savings
  Reduces costs from repairs and maintenance due to the system's proper design and installation. It also increases the lifespan of water-using devices such as washing machines and water heaters, minimizing replacement costs.

• Peace of Mind About Health
  No need to worry about water quality, ensuring the health and safety of oneself and family members. It guarantees hygiene and prevents waterborne diseases, leading to a healthy and safe life.

Factors to Consider When Building a Water Supply and Drainage System

When designing a water supply and drainage system, it is important to follow several key principles to ensure the system operates efficiently, safely, and sustainably. Below are some basic principles:

1. Principles for Designing the Water Supply System

• Ensure Sufficient Pressure and Flow
  The water supply system must ensure adequate pressure and flow to meet usage demands. This calculation is based on the water requirements of devices and the number of users.

• Water Quality
  The water supplied should meet clean water standards, ensuring safety for human health and usage.

• Choosing Appropriate Pipe Materials
  The pipe materials should be durable, corrosion-resistant, hygienic, and safe for water supply. Commonly used materials include PVC pipes, PPR pipes, or copper pipes.

• Minimize Pipe Joints
  To reduce the risk of leaks and malfunctions, minimize the number of joints in the system. Preferably, use long continuous pipes and high-quality fittings.

• Install Water Meters
  Water meters should be installed to monitor and control water consumption within the building or system.

2. Principles for Designing the Drainage System

• Ensure Proper Drainage Slope
  The drainage system must have a suitable slope to ensure wastewater flows out easily, preventing stagnation. The typical slope for drainage pipes is about 1-2%.

• Separate Wastewater and Rainwater
  Household wastewater and rainwater should be separated to avoid polluting water sources and optimize wastewater treatment efficiency.

• Prevent Flooding and Odor
  The system should include solutions to prevent flooding, such as installing water traps (P-traps) to block odors and check valves to prevent backflow.

• Choose Proper Drainage Locations
  Drainage points such as toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens should be strategically placed to be convenient without affecting daily life or aesthetics.

• Ensure Safety and Easy Maintenance
  The design should ensure the safety of users and allow easy access for maintenance and repairs when needed.

3. General Principles

• Compliance with Standards and Regulations The design must adhere to national or regional construction and sanitation standards.

• Water Conservation Use water-saving devices, such as low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets, to minimize water consumption.

• Consider Future Needs The design should account for future water needs. The system should be sized to ensure efficiency even as demand increases.

• Aesthetic and Architectural Considerations The water supply and drainage system should be integrated with the building’s overall architecture, ensuring that it does not affect the aesthetics or living space.

• Regular Inspection and Maintenance The system must be inspected and maintained regularly to detect and address issues such as leaks, blockages, or damage promptly.

Construction process of water supply and drainage system

The construction process of water supply and drainage system must be carried out strictly, from the survey, design to construction and maintenance stages. Below are the basic steps in the construction process of water supply and drainage system:

1. Survey and Assess Needs

Before designing the water supply and drainage system, a thorough survey is an essential step. This process involves evaluating the water source, water usage needs, as well as the geographical, climatic, and environmental conditions of the construction area. In addition, the water demand for domestic use, production, and other activities needs to be determined, including calculating the number of people using water, the number of houses, the area size, and the water consumption capacity. All these factors need to be accurately identified to ensure that the system operates efficiently and meets users' needs.

2. Design the Water Supply and Drainage System

In the water supply design phase, a detailed plan for pipelines, storage tanks, and pumps must be developed. Calculating pipe sizes, water pressure, and the locations of water supply stations is crucial to ensure the system operates reliably, meets demand, and maintains long-term efficiency. Additionally, the drainage system should be designed with appropriate drainage pipes for rainwater and wastewater, clearly defining the pathways for the pipes, wastewater treatment stations, and implementing environmental protection measures to prevent pollution. Material selection, including pipes, fittings, and equipment, is also essential. The materials must be suitable for the environment, resistant to corrosion, and ensure the system's longevity.

3. Obtain Permits and Comply with Legal Regulations

Before starting construction, it is important to obtain the necessary permits from the relevant authorities. This process ensures that the water supply and drainage system is designed and built according to safety requirements, environmental protection standards, and current legal regulations. During the design and construction process, strict adherence to industry standards and technical regulations is essential to guarantee the project's quality while protecting the community and surrounding environment.

4. Construction of the Water Supply and Drainage System

During construction, the first step is to excavate the ground and install the water supply and drainage pipes according to the approved design. Attention should be paid to the depth and location of the pipes to ensure the system operates efficiently without interfering with other structures. Once the piping installation is complete, the next step is to install the necessary equipment such as storage tanks, pumps, wastewater treatment stations, manholes, and other auxiliary devices to ensure smooth system operation.

Finally, once installation is complete, the system must be tested. This includes checking water pressure, sealing of pipe joints, and verifying the operation of pumps and equipment. These steps ensure that the system functions as designed and can be used safely and reliably over the long term.

5. Quality Inspection and Handover

Before handing over the system, it is essential to check the water quality. Both the supply and wastewater need to be tested to ensure they meet environmental hygiene standards, ensuring safety for public health. At the same time, the operation of the entire system should be inspected to ensure it functions smoothly, without issues like leaks, blockages, or technical problems that could affect its efficiency.

When all quality inspection requirements are met, the project can be handed over to the investor or operating unit. The handover process should be thorough, ensuring that the investor receives complete information about the system to operate, maintain, and use it effectively and sustainably.

6. Operation and Maintenance of the System

After the water supply and drainage system is handed over, stable and efficient operation is crucial. Ensuring that the system functions as designed from the moment it is put into use, without issues such as water pressure problems, leaks, or blockages, will help maintain its long-term effectiveness.

Regular maintenance is essential for the system to operate sustainably. A scheduled maintenance plan should be established to detect potential issues early and address them promptly. Maintenance tasks include cleaning pipes, inspecting and servicing pumps, and addressing any problems that arise. This helps ensure that the system operates at optimal performance, minimizes unexpected issues, and extends the system's lifespan.