A. Proposals

1. INTRODUCTION:

In 2006, the two-wave flood incident in Malaysia raised concerns over the victims' economic, sociological, and psychological impact. However, not many realised that the tragedy has been worsening due to Malaysia's current water resource management system structure. The research proves that the related problem to water resource management in Malaysia is due to the inexact division of power between the Federal and the State Governments and the broken legislation on Malaysian water. (S.A., R., & R.M., K. , 2009)

In this experiment, the investigation of the effect of distance on the pressure in a pipe is tested. The idea is inspired by the Malaysia water distribution system to various households, hence, a scaled-down version of the water system will be made for the investigation.

A source of life is water, which is a part of our livelihoods and prosperity, an essential element that maintains life, needed for the survival of all living things. Water has been well known for millennia in human survival and ecosystem conservation depending on the reliable availability and adequate water that is good quality. Lack of water, all living things would not exist and not survive. The only planet in-universe is Earth, with an abundance of water, with 71% of Earth's surface filled with water, allowing living things. However, 98% of the water on Earth's surface comes in the form of salt water, and only 2% of the water on Earth is freshwater, found in lakes, inland seas and rivers, approximately 99% trapped in glaciers and ice caps, in soil moisture or found in water tables too deep to access. Therefore, only around 1% of Earth's freshwater is available for living things to consume. Water is an integral part of living survival for social and economic purposes. Food production, hygiene and sanitation, health and the environment is affected under the water's influential role. Water is famous for its prehistoric times in food and agricultural production. Water-food interrelationships are significant. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is critical to human well-being. Many development agencies, communities and experts worldwide are increasingly recognising the critical role that water can have on poverty reduction. (Ahmed, F. & Chamhuri, Siwar & Begum, Rawshan., 2014)Now, it is documented that provisioning safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services can form the basis for reducing poverty. This improves livelihoods, creates jobs for local communities in developing countries, removes the cycle of diseases that reduce the productivity of the people who have limited access to health services, and re-directs the health sector's savings to other imperatives. Thus, water plays a central role in the economic growth and sustainable development of a nation.

The situation in Malaysia is that the average annual rainfall they receive is about 3000 mm. Water resources development has been a stimulus for the country's socio-economic development during the past decades. Water transportation from rivers is mostly from dams, kilometres of pipelines, and canals to adhere to agricultural, industrial needs. In 1998, Malaysia's primary water supply resources were the Ampang intake built-in 1906, the Klang Gates Dam constructed in 1928, and the Semenyih Dam completed in 1984. These Dams are the main water resources of Malaysia. However, the turn of abundance to scarcity of water is caused due to the large population of Malaysia these recent years. Growth in population, development, progress and irrigated agriculture impose rapid growth demands and pressure on the water resources. This contributes to the rise of water pollution. Water management has become more comprehensive and complicated due to large population concentrations. Many commercial activities and industries around the cities increase water consumption, which leads to an increase in water pollution—scrutiny from conservationists and environmentalists for a new development of water resources.

This research topic is essential as distributing water is much more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. It would be more suitable when the distribution reservoir is higher than the target community. Such as mountainous areas to reach consumers living in high elevated areas. The pressure zones are allocated under the network, separating pressure reducing stations, check valves and gate valves. Water can be transported by gravity flow; a distribution network usually operates. High pressure might cause pipes to burst. Hence, it is best to avoid high pressure. Instead, the system should have adequate pressure. Efficient distribution is required for all consumers to receive water with the required flow rate. Thus, the same pressure in the pipelines is crucial, allowing water to reach every place.

There are 2 different kinds of water distribution systems that we would like to mention, the gravity system and the pumping system. However, the focus of our experiment is on the gravity system. The following are the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 types of water distribution systems.

The advantages of the gravity systems are that no energy is required to function the system as water is supplied with the help of gravity, and a pump is not required. But the gravity system is not applicable on plain or flat terrain where there is no available elevation source. Water might be lost if leakage is present and comparatively higher. This system also requires a break-in pressure to reduce the tension in pipelines.

Some advantages of the pumping system are that water can only be pumped when required. This also results in low water loss caused by leakage. Even with that said, there are a few disadvantages, such as system breakdown, which may occur from time to time if power fails. Maintenance of the system is costly as well. Transporting of water through leaks may cause contamination to the water system.

In the 19th century, when technology dates, New York City was required to build their apartments and buildings higher than six stories to be equipped with a rooftop water tower. Only 3 companies constructed New York City's water towers, Rosenwach Tank Company, Issek Brothers and American Pipe and Tank/ The 3 companies are family-run, operating for 3 generations. The Rosenwach Tank Company's best-known company began in 1866 on the lower east side by barrel maker William Dalton before hiring a Polish immigrant Harris Rosenwach. After William Dalton passed away, Harris Rosenwach bought the company for $55 and expanded services over the past few decades to include historic building preservation, outdoor site furnishings as well as new water technologies. Rosenwach boasts that the only company that mills its quality wood tanks in New York City is them. In 1890, the Isseks Brothers were opened and overseen by David Hochhauser and his sister. According to Scott Hochhauser in the NY Times, there have been few changes to the company's water tank construction over the past century. Despite this, many people are curious about the tanks. "Some are interested in the history; many artists like them, for the beauty, and there are people who are into the mechanics of them. But I do not get too many people to call up to say, 'Hey, tell me about those steel tanks.'" (Gannon, D., 2017)

According to their website, American Pipe and Tank is about "sons apprenticing with their fathers," proudly claiming their business as being generational. Although the company has since expanded from its original services, the American Pipe & Tank Lining Co. remains the group's oldest. They still prepare, install and repair hot water tanks and fuel oil tanks in New York City. (Gannon, D., 2017)

The barrel makers were the first to make the original water tower, expanding their crafts to meet modern needs as the city grew larger and taller. Until today, no sealant has been used to fill water.

Why use wood? While the hand-made wooden barrels make us sentimental, they are the most effective for the water tank’s job. Even the city’s most luxurious buildings, like 15 Central Park West, for example, feature wooden tanks. Rosenwach uses Western cedar for their tanks, a cheap, lightweight material.

Plus, wood is much better at moderating temperature than steel tanks. Steel tanks, while sometimes used, are more expensive, require more maintenance and take more time to build. A wooden tank that can hold 10,000 gallons of water costs roughly $30,000. A steel tank of the same size can cost up to $120,000. Furthermore, water stored in the wood will not freeze in the winter and stay cool during the hot summer months.

Afterwards, the wood will rot and need to be replaced after about 30-35 years. Kenny Lewis, a Rosenwach foreman, explained the process of the tank infrastructure to amNY: “When you first set them up, they leak, but when they fill [with water], the wood expands and becomes watertight. Then, it is like a giant toilet. When people use the water, the level goes down. All ballcock lets more in, and that water is pumped from the basement.” (Gannon, D., 2017)

Wooden walls in the water tower are held together with steel cables or straps. However, water would still leak through the gaps when first filled. After the water is absorbed into the wood, allowing it to expand, it swells and closes the gaps, becoming more impermeable. Usually, rooftop towers store about 25,000 to 50,000 litres of water until it is necessary for the building underneath. The top portion of water is set for everyday use while the water in the lower tower is in reserve to fight fire. Once the water drops below a particular litre in the water tower, the pressure switch or float valve will activate a pump or open a public water line to refill the water tower.

How to calculate pressure? Placing a container of water on top of a stool increases the gravitational potential energy and acts as the water tower. A pipe will be connected to the container, allowing water to flow from the “water tower” to the pipe. Attached to the pipes are straws, which water will flow to. The water that enters the straw will determine the pressure travelling through the pipe. The research topic is the investigation of the effect of distance on the effect on the pipe. Water exerts pressure caused by its weight and the air above it, equally in all directions. The direction of the pressure is not equal in all directions. However, it is usually controlled, in a great measure, by the shape of the containing vessel, for example, a round cup having a flat bottom; hence the pressure is equal and most significant over the whole base. On the Earth’s surface, the air pressure exerted on us results from the weight of air above. The pressure is reduced as we climb up in altitude, and the weight of air above us decreases. However, underwater, the pressure exerted on us increases with increasing depth. In this case, the pressure exerted upon humans results from the weight of water above and the atmosphere. The air pressure changes on an elevator ride that transports many stories, but humans only need to dive a meter into the pool to feel the pressure increase. Water is about 775 times denser than air.

Research Questions

How does the height of the “water tower” play a part in transporting water through the pipe without the help of technology?

Research Hypotheses

As the water flows from the container, as gravitational potential energy decreases from the height of the container to the sink, kinetic energy increases. Pushing the water with a higher pressure by gravity to transport water along the pipe.

Controlled variables

(a) The same water level in the container

(b) The height from the countertop to the container of water

(c) The length between the container and the end of the pipe has to remain the same

(d) The speed of the water pump

2. Method

Equipment list:

• big container

• water dispenser

• pipe

• straws

• sink

• water

• water pump

• tripod stands

• glue gun

2.3 Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection

1. Drill 4 holes on the upper walls of the container to place retort stands into them to ensure that the water dispenser is tightly secured.

2. Drill 3 holes along the pipe and secure the straws in place with a glue gun. Ensure that all straws are of the same length.

3. Set up the experiment as shown in the diagram above, placing the water dispenser on the stool, connecting the pipe connectors and the pipes attached with straws.

4. Once the setup is complete, get a bucket of water and dye the water with dark food colouring for more obvious results.

5. Pour the coloured water into the water dispenser and ensure that the tap is closed.

6. Once all the water has been poured into the water dispenser, open the tap and allow the water to flow.

7. Observe the water flow to the straw and record a video of the whole process.

8. To calculate the height of water, rewatch the video and screenshot two instances from the video where all the straws contain water.

9. From the screenshots, measure the height of water in the straws according to the pictures. Measure the height of the straws in real life and do an estimation of the water level in the straw in real life.

2.4 Data Analysis

11. After finding out the results, place them into the table below