Small head losses (also called local losses) can be associated with the additional turbulence that occurs at bends, junctions, gauges and valves. The importance of such losses will depend on the layout of the pipeline network and the degree of accuracy required. Minor losses are proportional to the velocity head of water flowing through a pipe or valve (V^2/(2*g)). The proportionality constant is called "loss coefficient" and its value depends on the geometry and type of fitting