PRESSURE MANIFOLD CALCULATION TOOL

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

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ABSORPTION SYSTEM CALCULATIONS

Manual Calculation Formula

Number of units (bedrooms, seats, etc.)

Flow per unit (Table 2A, Onsite Minimum Standards)
Design daily wastewater flow
Trench depth
Soil loading rate from soil report
Trench bottom area (minimum)
Effective trench width, based on type of trench material
Total trench length (minimum)
Number of zones
Design daily wastewater flow per zone
Length of trench per zone (minimum)
Number of trenches per zone
Trench length, average
Zone dose volume

Design input
Design input
Line1 x Line2
Design input
Design input
Line3 / Line5
Design input
Line6 / Line7
Line7 / 1000 (Round up)
Line3 / Line9
Line7 / Line9
Line11 / 100 (Round up)
Line11 / Line12
0.5 x Line11

Calculated
Output

Input
Residential

Units

Bedrooms
gpd
gpd
18 inches
gpd/sq.ft.
sq.ft.
feet
feet

120

Select

6
6

gpd
feet
feet
gallons

FLOW CALCULATIONS
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

Operating head
Orifice (hole) diameter
Flow rate per orifice (see Table 2)
Flow rate per zone (target)
Number of orifices per zone (approx.)
Number of orifices per lateral (equal length)
Flow rate per lateral (equal length)
Number of orifices per zone (equal length laterals)
Flow rate per zone (equal length laterals)
Diameter of supply line
Type of PVC pipe
Velocity in supply/manifold pipe
Feet of lateral per orifice

Design input
Design input
11.79 x (Line16)2 x Line15
Design input
Line18 / Line17(Round)
Line19 / Line12(Round)
Line17 x Line20
Line20 x Line12
Line17 x Line22
From Table 4
Design input
Check Tables 1, 4
Line13 / Line20

4
1/ 4
25

feet
inches
gpm
gpm

Dose cycles per day (zone)

Dose cycles per day (total)
Dose time ON each cycle
Time OFF between doses
Pump run time per day (approx.)
ELEVATION HEAD
Length of supply line
Equivalent length of fittings, total
Total equivalent length of supply line
Supply line friction head / 100 feet
Supply line friction head
Add on friction (if any)
FRICTION HEAD
OPERATING HEAD
TDH

3/ 8
7/16

gpm
inches

9/16

1/ 2

40
feet/sec
feet

Line10 / Line14
Line3 / Line14
Line14 / Line23
1440 / Line30 - Line31
Line30 x Line31

minutes
minutes
minutes

Determine at site
From site layout
From mfg. or SSMPA tables
Line35 + Line36 (round up)
From Table 1a or 1b
Line38 x Line37 /100
From component supplier(s)
Line39 + Line40
Line15
Line34 + Line41 + Line42

feet
feet length
feet length
feet length
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet
feet

Flow capacity Line23 + 2

Head capacity Line43

5/ 8
11/16

MINIMUM PUMP CAPACITY REQUIRED

44
45

1/ 4

gpm

TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD CALCULATIONS

34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

3/16
5/16

TIMER CONTROL CALCULATIONS

29
30
31
32
33

5/32

gpm
feet

3/ 4

PRESSURE MANIFOLD CALCULATION SHEET INSTRUCTIONS

This calculator is a tool and not intended to substitute for sound design judgement. It is not the only method for
designing pressure manifold systems. Site factors may dictate different trench lengths or other modifications.
Comply with all state and local standards and permit requirements.
See manifold schematic diagrams below.
MANUAL CALCULATIONS:
A Calculate using line# formulas and tables. Double check manual calculations.
B Defaults are provided below as a starting point. Adjust default numbers to optimize pump requirements or to use a prefered pump.
ELECTRONIC CALCULATIONS:
A Click on Calculations Sheet tab. For new calculations, you can click the reset button to start with the default numbers.
B Enter data in the ORANGE cells. (Use 'Enter' or the down arrow key to move to next cell. Use "Backspace" to clear a cell)
C Defaults are provided as a starting point. Adjust default numbers to optimize pump requirements or to work with a prefered pump.
D Enter data in the yellow cells (optional), to adjust for site conditions or to make the design more conservative. For example, to use
shorter trenches, increase total length, or round up trench lengths. Entries less than the minimum calculated values are not allowed.
E Use of the timer control calculations is optional, but recommended.
F As an alternative to completing the TDH calculations, pump suppliers can assist if you provide the site elevations and supply line length.
G Use buttons at top of calculation sheet to print worksheets.

Notes/Recommendations

ABSORPTION SYSTEM CALCULATIONS

1 Number of units

Check Minimum Construction Standards Table 2A in the Onsite Sewage Rule

2 Flow per unit

Check Minimum Construction Standards Table 2A in the Onsite Sewage Rule

3 Design daily wastewater flow

Calculate flows from multiple sources separately and enter total in input column

4 Trench depth

18" recommended (18" - 30" allowed); check with local authority about shallow placement
modifications

5 Soil loading rate from soil report

Generally, don't exceed lowest reported rate between the ground surface and 12 inches below the
trench (Line4 +12")

6 Trench bottom area (minimum)

7 Effective trench width

Trench bottom area can exceed calculated minimum for a more conservative design
Narrow trenches are recommended to better use the available soil absorption area

8 Total trench length (minimum)

Trench length can exceed calculated minimum for a more conservative design

9 Number of zones

Should limit to 1,000 feet of trench per zone. However, more than 6 zones would require a dist.
method other than an alternating valve, such as solenoid valvess or duplex pumps.

10 Design daily wastewater flow per zone

If demand dosing is used, zones will receive equal dose volumes and should be equal in size

11 Length of trench per zone

Use separate sheets for multiple zones with different trench lengths

12 Number of trenches per zone

Use equal trench lengths if possible, and longest trenches, up to 100 feet, that will fit the site. A
minimum of two trenches is required

13 Trench length, average (minimum)

Generally, round up to use full length of trench product

14 Zone dose volume

1/2 gallon per foot of trench, recommended; add volume needed to fill supply line if it drains back
to pump tank

FLOW CALCULATIONS

15 Operating head
16 Orifice (hole) diameter
17 Flow rate per orifice (see Table 2)
18 Flow rate per zone (target)
19 Number of orifices per zone (approx.)
20 Number of orifices per lateral (equal length)
21 Flow rate per lateral (equal length)

Set operating pressure with a valve on each lateral line. Use between 2 feet and 8 feet. (Default
is 4 feet)
Use to optimize pump flow capacity (Default is 1/4-inch)
Read from Table 2 or calculate using the formula provided
Initial value used to help optimize pump capacity and cycle time. Compare pump manufacturer's
cycle time recommendations with Line31. Confirm actual flow capacity (Line44) with pump
performance curve. (Default is 25 gpm)
Initial value used to select actual number of orifices per lateral
Use caution in selecting a different number of orfices, as it will affect required pump capacity

22 Number of orifices per zone

23 Flow rate per zone
24
25
26
27

Diameter of supply line

Type of PVC pipe
Velocity in supply/manifold pipe
Feet of lateral per orifice

28 Trench length tolerance (plus or minus, max)

Actual flow. 10 to 40 gpm is typical. Confirm sufficient pump capacity (line44 and 45) using pump
performance curve.
Select pipe size for which flow rate (Line23) results in between 2 and 5 feet/second (fps)
Schedule 40 for example
If velocity < 2 fps, smaller pipe is recommended; if > 5 fps, larger pipe is recommended
Only used to proportion distribution in unequal length trenches in a zone (see next note)
For unequal length trenches, the length per orifice should not vary by more than 5%

29 Dose cycles per day (zone)

Recommended as an alternative to demand dosing

Typically less than 2 doses and should not exceed 4 doses

30 Dose cycles per day (total)

Total doses for all zones

31 Dose time ON each cycle

Add time needed to fill supply line if it drains back to pump tank. In the field, you can start with a
drained system and time how long it takes to start to discharge at farthest lateral.

TIMER CONTROL CALCULATIONS

32 Time OFF between doses

33 Pump run time per day (approx.)

Total pump run time not including time needed to fill supply line

TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD CALCULATIONS

34 Elevation head

Difference in elevation (vertical distance) from low water level in pump tank to high point in
pressure system

35

Length of supply line

Length of supply/manifold pipe from pump to the last lateral line

36

Equivalent length of fittings, total

Recommend using tables, such as from pipe manufacturer or SSPMA. If tables are used, carry
manual calculations through line 45. (Calculator estimates equivalent length at 20% of straight
length of supply/manifold pipe; be sure to include other losses on Line40.)

37

Total equivalent length of supply line

Round up to nearest 10 feet

38

Supply line friction head / 100 feet

39
Supply line friction head
40
Add on friction (if any)
41 Friction head
42 Operating head

Pressure losses in filters, alternating valves, etc. (if in psi, multiply by 2.31 to obtain feet)
Use equivalent length of fittings can be more accurate. Compare with calculated value.

43 TDH

If friction is calculated manually using equivalent lengths of fittings, enter TDH on line 45

MINIMUM PUMP CAPACITY REQUIRED

44

Flow capacity Zone flow rate plus allowance for flow through 5/32" siphon break or weep hole

45

Head capacity

When flow and head capacity are plotted on a pump's performance curve, that point must fall
below the curve

INSTALLATION

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2
6

7
Schematic showing components of manifold and
short pipe into a gravity lateral trench

1 Manifold line with tee at each lateral

2 Valve used to adjust pressure at each lateral
3 Tee with threaded adapter to attach standpipe or a cap with a hole
4 Yard box for access
5 Dam to prevent effluent from draining into manifold trench
6 Capped pipe with drilled holes
7 Any accepted conventional gravity trench material or product
Install system with a standpipe, or a cap with a hole drilled in it, at #3. Use valve,
#2, to adjust equal head or squirt height in each lateral. Install solid caps at #3.
The manifold and supply pipes should drain completely, either back to the
pump tank or to the trenches

Photo example of short pipe with 4 orifices to

insert into a gravity lateral trench system

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Diagram of manifold system with 3

conventional gravity trenches

P V C PIPE TABLES
Table 1a:

Pressure Loss per 100-feet of Schedule 40 PVC and Velocity

as a function of flow rate and nominal pipe diameter in inches

gph

Flow

60
120
180
240
300
360
480
600
900
1200
1500
1800
2100
2400
2700
3000
3600
4200
4800
5400
6000
7500
9000
10500
12000

1/2
Pressure Drop
Velocity
feet
psi
fps
0.98
1.06
0.43
3.55
2.11
1.55
7.53
3.17
3.27
12.82
4.22
5.57
19.39
5.28
8.42
27.17
6.34
11.81
46.30
8.45
20.10

3/4
Pressure Drop
Velocity
feet
psi
fps
0.25
0.60
0.11
0.90
1.20
0.39
1.91
1.80
0.83
3.26
2.41
1.41
4.93
3.01
2.13
6.91
3.61
2.99
11.77
4.81
5.09
17.79
6.02
7.70
37.69
9.02
16.32

gpm
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
60
70
80
90
100
125
150
175
200
Note: Values in shaded areas are at velocities over 5 fps
(feet per second) and should be selected with caution.

1
Pressure Drop
Velocity
feet
psi
fps
0.08
0.37
0.03
0.28
0.74
0.12
0.59
1.11
0.26
1.01
1.48
0.44
1.52
1.86
0.66
2.13
2.23
0.92
3.63
2.97
1.57
5.49
3.71
2.38
11.63
5.57
5.03
19.81
7.42
8.58
29.95
9.28
12.96

1 1/4
Pressure Drop
feet
psi
0.07
0.16
0.26
0.40
0.56
0.95
1.44
3.06
5.21
7.87
11.04
14.68
18.80
23.39

H = 10.44 * L * (Q/C)1.852 * D-4.871

0.03
0.07
0.11
0.17
0.24
0.41
0.62
1.32
2.25
3.41
4.78
6.36
8.14
10.12

Velocity
fps
0.43
0.64
0.86
1.07
1.29
1.72
2.15
3.22
4.29
5.36
6.44
7.51
8.58
9.65

1 1/2
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

0.07
0.12
0.19
0.26
0.45
0.68
1.44
2.46
3.72
5.21
6.93
8.87
11.04
13.42
18.80

0.03
0.05
0.08
0.11
0.20
0.29
0.62
1.06
1.61
2.26
3.00
3.84
4.78
5.81
8.14

Velocity
fps

0.47
0.63
0.79
0.95
1.26
1.58
2.36
3.15
3.94
4.73
5.52
6.30
7.09
7.88
9.46

H (feet) = Pressure loss

Q (gpm) = Flow in pipe segment
D (inches) = Actual pipe inside diameter
L (feet) = Pipe length ( = 100 for table)
C is a constant ( = 150 used for PVC)

Table 1b:

Pressure Loss per 100-feet of Schedule 40 PVC and Velocity

as a function of flow rate and nominal pipe diameter in inches

gph

Flow
60
120
180
240
300
360
480
600
900
1200
1500
1800
2100
2400
2700
3000
3600
4200
4800
5400
6000
7500
9000
10500
12000

2
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

Velocity
fps

2 1/2
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

gpm
1
2
3
4
5
0.08
0.57
6
0.03
0.13
0.76
8
0.06
0.20
0.96
0.08
10
0.09
0.43
1.43
0.18
15
0.18
0.73
1.91
0.31
20
0.32
1.10
2.39
0.46
25
0.48
1.54
2.87
0.65
30
0.67
2.05
3.35
0.86
35
0.89
2.63
3.82
1.11
40
1.14
3.27
4.30
1.38
45
1.41
3.97
4.78
1.67
50
1.72
5.57
5.74
2.34
60
2.41
7.41
6.69
3.12
70
3.21
9.49
7.65
3.99
80
4.11
11.80
8.61
4.96
90
5.11
14.34
9.56
6.03
100
6.21
9.12
125
12.79
150
175
200
Note: Values in shaded areas are at velocities over 5 fps
(feet per second) and should be selected with caution.

0.04
0.08
0.13
0.20
0.28
0.37
0.48
0.60
0.72
1.01
1.35
1.73
2.15
2.61
3.95
5.54

Velocity
fps

0.67
1.01
1.34
1.68
2.01
2.35
2.68
3.02
3.35
4.02
4.69
5.36
6.03
6.70
8.38
10.05

3
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

0.06
0.11
0.16
0.23
0.30
0.38
0.48
0.58
0.81
1.08
1.39
1.72
2.09
3.17
4.44
5.90
7.56

Velocity
fps

4
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

0.65
0.03
0.87
0.05
1.09
0.07
1.30
0.06
0.10
1.52
0.08
0.13
1.74
0.10
0.17
1.95
0.13
0.21
2.17
0.15
0.25
2.60
0.22
0.35
3.04
0.29
0.47
3.47
0.37
0.60
3.91
0.46
0.75
4.34
0.56
0.91
5.43
0.84
1.37
6.51
1.18
1.92
7.60
1.57
2.56
8.68
2.01
3.27
H = 10.44 * L * (Q/C)1.852 * D-4.871

0.03
0.03
0.04
0.06
0.07
0.09
0.12
0.16
0.20
0.24
0.36
0.51
0.68
0.87

Velocity
fps

6
Pressure Drop
feet
psi

Velocity
fps

0.76
0.88
1.01
1.13
1.26
1.51
1.76
2.02
2.27
0.06
1.00
0.03
2.52
0.08
1.11
0.03
3.15
0.11
1.39
0.05
3.78
0.16
1.67
0.07
4.41
0.21
1.94
0.09
5.04
0.27
2.22
0.12
H (feet) = Pressure loss
Q (gpm) = Flow in pipe segment
D (inches) = Actual pipe inside diameter
L (feet) = Pipe length ( = 100' for table)
C is a constant ( = 150 used for PVC)

Table 2:

Orifice Flow Rate in gallons per minute (gpm)

Pressure Head
feet
psi
1
0.43
1.5
0.65
2
0.87
2.5
1.08
3
1.30
3.5
1.52
4
1.73
4.5
1.95
5
2.16

1/ 8
0.18
0.23
0.26
0.29
0.32
0.34
0.37
0.39
0.41

as a function of pressure head and drilled hole diameter in PVC pipe

Orifice diameter (inches)
5/32
3/16
7/32
1/ 4
9/32
5/16
11/32
0.29
0.41
0.56
0.74
0.93
1.15
1.39
0.35
0.51
0.69
0.90
1.14
1.41
1.71
0.41
0.59
0.80
1.04
1.32
1.63
1.97
0.46
0.66
0.89
1.17
1.47
1.82
2.20
0.50
0.72
0.98
1.28
1.62
1.99
2.41
0.54
0.78
1.06
1.38
1.74
2.15
2.61
0.58
0.83
1.13
1.47
1.87
2.30
2.79
0.61
0.88
1.20
1.56
1.98
2.44
2.96
0.64
0.93
1.26
1.65
2.09
2.57
3.12

13/32
1.95
2.38
2.75
3.08
3.37
3.64
3.89
4.13
4.35

7/16
2.26
2.76
3.19
3.57
3.91
4.22
4.51
4.79
5.05

15/32
2.59
3.17
3.66
4.10
4.49
4.85
5.18
5.50
5.79

Q (gpm) = Flow through orifice

D (inches) = Orifice diameter
h (feet) = Pressure head at orifice

Q = 11.79 * D2 * h

psi = pounds per square inch

3/ 8
1.66
2.03
2.34
2.62
2.87
3.10
3.32
3.52
3.71

Table 3:

Nominal Pipe Diameter to Actual Inside Diameter Conversion (inches)

Pipe Class/
Schedule
125
160
200
315
40
80

1/2
NA
NA
NA
0.716
0.622
0.546

3/4
NA
NA
0.930
0.894
0.824
0.742

1
NA
NA
1.189
1.121
1.049
0.957

1 1/4
1.548
1.532
1.502
1.414
1.380
1.278

1 1/2
1.784
1.754
1.720
1.618
1.610
1.500

2
2.229
2.193
2.149
2.023
2.067
1.939

2 1/2
NA
2.655
2.601
2.449
2.469
2.323

3
3.284
3.230
3.166
2.962
3.068
2.900

4
4.224
4.154
4.072
3.834
4.026
3.826

Table 4

Flow Rate (gpm) Needed to Effectively Scour Schedule 40 Pipe

Nominal Pipe Diameter
(inches)
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3

gpm for 2 fps

(minimum
gpm for 5 fps
recommended)
(maximum recommended)
5.4
13.5
9.3
23.3
12.7
31.7
20.9
52.3
29.8
74.6
46.0
115.2
2 fps is the generally accepted minimum pipe scouring velocity

6
6.217
6.115
5.993
5.643
6.065
5.761

SUPPLY ID
#N/A
Col
#N/A
Row
4

1/ 2
2.95
3.61
4.17
4.66
5.11
5.51
5.90
6.25
6.59

9/16
3.73
4.57
5.28
5.90
6.46
6.98
7.46
7.91
8.34

5/ 8
4.61
5.64
6.51
7.28
7.98
8.62
9.21
9.77
10.30

11/16
5.57
6.83
7.88
8.81
9.65
10.43
11.15
11.82
12.46

3/ 4
6.63
8.12
9.38
10.49
11.49
12.41
13.26
14.07
14.83