# Sovereignty Module: Channel the Flow

## Complete Plumbing, Pipe Fabrication, and Water Distribution Guide

A community needs water delivered reliably to homes, workshops, and fields, and wastewater removed safely. This campaign covers pipe materials, joining methods, gravity-fed and pressurized systems, valves, fixtures, and drainage design from raw materials to functioning infrastructure.

### Chapter 1: Pipe Materials

| Material | Pressure Rating | Durability | Fabrication Difficulty | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay (fired) | Low (gravity only) | Excellent (millennia) | Moderate (kiln required) | Sewer, drainage |
| Bamboo (sealed) | Low-moderate | 5-15 years | Low | Temporary water supply |
| Hollowed log (bored) | Low | 10-30 years (buried, wet) | Moderate | Rural water mains |
| Lead (historical) | High | Centuries | Moderate (casting/rolling) | Avoid for drinking water (toxic) |
| Copper | High | 50-100 years | High (smelting, drawing) | Drinking water, hot water |
| Cast iron | Very high | 50-100+ years | High (foundry) | Mains, high-pressure |
| Wrought iron/steel | Very high | 30-50 years (corrosion) | High | Pressure systems |
| Concrete (reinforced) | Moderate-high | 50-100 years | Moderate | Large mains, culverts |
| PVC/plastic (salvaged) | High | 50+ years | N/A (salvage only) | All water and sewer |
| Stone (carved channel) | None (gravity) | Millennia | High (labor intensive) | Aqueducts, irrigation |

### Chapter 2: Pipe Joining Methods

| Method | Materials | Strength | Watertight | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell and spigot (clay) | Clay pipes, mortar or tar seal | Good | Good | Moderate |
| Soldered (copper) | Copper pipe, tin-lead or tin-silver solder, flux | Excellent | Excellent | High |
| Threaded (iron/steel) | Threaded pipe, pipe dope or tape | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate |
| Flanged (bolted) | Flanges, gaskets, bolts | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate |
| Compression (bamboo/wood) | Wrapping with cord + tar/pitch | Moderate | Good | Low |
| Cemented (concrete) | Concrete pipe, mortar joint | Good | Good | Low-moderate |
| Fused (plastic) | PVC pipe, solvent cement | Excellent | Excellent | Low |

### Chapter 3: Gravity-Fed Water Systems

Design a system that delivers water from a spring or reservoir at elevation to a community below using only gravity.

| Component | Function | Design Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Source (spring/reservoir) | Water supply | Must be above all delivery points |
| Intake | Collects water, screens debris | Screen mesh, overflow, sediment trap |
| Main line | Carries water downhill | Size for peak demand, 1-2% minimum slope |
| Break-pressure tanks | Prevents excessive pressure in steep terrain | Every 60-80m of vertical drop |
| Distribution tank | Stores water near community | Size for 1-2 days demand |
| Branch lines | Delivers to individual taps | Smaller diameter, valves at each branch |
| Taps/faucets | User access points | Self-closing to prevent waste |

Pressure: Every 10 feet (3m) of elevation difference = approximately 4.3 PSI. A source 100 feet above the tap delivers 43 PSI (excellent household pressure).

### Chapter 4: Pumped Systems

| Pump Type | Power Source | Head (max lift) | Flow Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand pump (lever) | Human | 30-200 feet | 5-15 gal/min | Wells, small supply |
| Rope pump | Human | 30-100 feet | 3-10 gal/min | Deep wells, low cost |
| Ram pump (hydraulic) | Water flow (no fuel) | 10x source fall height | 1/10 of drive flow | Streams with elevation |
| Windmill pump | Wind | 30-300 feet | 5-50 gal/min | Continuous, windy areas |
| Steam/engine pump | Fuel | Unlimited (staged) | 50-5,000+ gal/min | Large systems |
| Solar pump | Sunlight | 30-600 feet | 5-100 gal/min | If panels available |

### Chapter 5: Hot Water Systems

| System | Heat Source | Complexity | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pot on fire | Wood/gas | Minimal | Batch (gallons) |
| Coil in firebox | Wood stove/fireplace | Low | Continuous (slow) |
| Thermosiphon (tank above firebox) | Wood | Moderate | 20-80 gallons |
| Solar collector (black pipe/panel) | Sun | Moderate | 20-80 gallons |
| Heat exchanger (coil in boiler) | Any boiler fuel | High | Unlimited |

Thermosiphon principle: Hot water rises, cold water sinks. A tank above a heat source with pipes connecting top and bottom creates natural circulation without a pump.

### Chapter 6: Drainage and Sewer

| Pipe Size | Use | Minimum Slope |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 inch | Sink, lavatory | 1/4 inch per foot |
| 2 inch | Shower, bathtub, laundry | 1/4 inch per foot |
| 3 inch | Toilet (single) | 1/4 inch per foot |
| 4 inch | Main building drain, multiple toilets | 1/8 inch per foot |
| 6+ inch | Community sewer main | 1/8 inch per foot |

Every drain needs a trap (U-shaped pipe section that holds water, blocking sewer gas from entering the building) and a vent (pipe to roof that allows air in so water flows freely).

### Chapter 7: Valve Types

| Valve | Function | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gate valve | Full open/close (not for throttling) | Main shutoffs |
| Globe valve | Flow regulation (throttling) | Faucets, flow control |
| Ball valve | Quick open/close (quarter turn) | Shutoffs, isolation |
| Check valve | Allows flow one direction only | Pump outlets, backflow prevention |
| Float valve | Automatically closes when tank is full | Tank fill control |
| Pressure relief | Opens at set pressure to prevent burst | Boilers, pressurized tanks |

### Reference Card

1. Gravity systems need minimum 1-2% slope for flow; every 10 feet elevation = 4.3 PSI
2. Every drain needs a trap (blocks sewer gas) and a vent (allows air flow)
3. Size pipes for peak demand, not average (everyone uses water at the same times)
4. Break-pressure tanks every 60-80m vertical drop prevent pipe bursts in steep terrain
5. Ram pumps lift water using only the energy of flowing water (no fuel, no electricity)
6. Hot water rises naturally (thermosiphon), eliminating need for circulation pumps
7. Copper is ideal for drinking water; avoid lead; clay/concrete for drainage
8. Always install shutoff valves at every branch so repairs don't shut down the whole system