I have worked w/ public agencies in SoCal that have successfully installed this electromagnetic flowmeter (insert- sleeve type) & telemetry equipment by this manufacturer: call their sales rep http://www.marsh-mcbirney.com/Products/Multi-Mag.htm
industry standard is to install blow-offs (APCO is a mfgr that is widely used in SoCal and they have design/sizing tools) at lowpoints for "draining" a water main during shutdown.
Have you researched whether the owner has any existing engineering design report for the system you're modifying or water master plan? These sources, as well as the Owner's current Engineering Design Standards should document whether "hourly or daily peak" is used.
Typically, the owner/user must use a standard service line specified by the local public works engineering department. Check w/ the City Public Works - Engr Dept or local Water District - Engr Dept and see what standard engineering details/drawings they have for existing/new water service...
when i modeled the water distribution system (pressure system, of course) for a large coastal city in the metropolitan Los Angeles area (approx service area 17 sq-mi, 19300 pipes >6" dia.), we generally tried to limit the velocity to 10 fps
This sounds like a thrust problem. Usually the project engineer is required to calculate the length of pipe if using restrained joints, ie ductile iron. Follow the method prescribed in AWWA M## (the Ductile Iron one, I think it's also discussed in AWWA
stee pipe manual...M11...?...M41..??)...