The requirement here is something related with emptying two water tanks at different levels giving priority to one over the other. Real life scenario hers is about usage of harvested rain water which is stored in one tank and fresh water stored at a higher level.
The building in consideration would have 2 levels and upper level has a small utility area for washing / terrace gardening etc. Roof of upper level catches the rain water and is collected in a small tank installed in upper level.
This water so collected has to be flown to a pipe line connecting to outdoor hose etc which is primarily sourced from fresh water tank. A non returning valve safeguards the fresh water source from being mixed with rain water.
As the intention is to consume the rain water first, would this setup work if same thickness pipes are used or would it require bigger pipe for rain water tank as the pressures would differ due to tanks being in different levels, of different sizes (RW tank is smaller) and quantity of water varies(RW level reduces with consumption and not refilled unless there is a rain).
To simplify the building configuration:
- No of levels: 3
- Fresh water tank level: 3 (top most)
- Rain water tank level: 2
- Consumption taps level: 1 (base/ground level)
Question: FW tank and RW tank are connected to a common pipe feeding to a tap at level 1. How to achieve RW tank to get empty first when both tanks have water?