Q. What are Service reservoirs?

Service reservoirs, other than normal reservoirs are provided due to the subsequent reasons: 

(i)  In case of breakdown of pumping stations and water treatment plants, it offers a temporary storage of water in emergency situation such as fire fighting.

(ii) Because the demand of water supply from customers differs with time, provision of service reservoirs aims to balance fluctuation rate of water demand.

(iii)It offers a constant head of water to the distribution system under the design pressure.

(iv) In the event of occurrence of water hammer or surge at the time of rapid closure and opening of pumping stations, reservoir acts to attenuate the surge and performs similar to a surge tank.

(v) It results in a reduction of the size of pumps and trunk mains connecting to distribution system as pumps aren't required to directly cope with peak rates of water demand by introduction of service reservoirs. There is substantial cost savings arising from the use of smaller pumps and smallerpumping pipelines.