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This paper focuses on the generation of synthetic models of water distribution networks (WDN). Models are widely used in many fields related with WDN planning and operation. Therefore, the main contribution of this work is to provide an automatic procedure to build models with the well-known EPANET tool in a manner that, with a small amount of input data and a few clicks, the user can build a network topology and assign suitable pipe diameters. For that purpose, a new application, called WaterNetGen, was designed and implemented as an extension to the EPANET software. WaterNetGen can be used to generate synthetic models of WDN, with several hundred nodes and pipes, within a few minutes. The sizing capability allows the selection of commercial diameters, such that the final network design satisfies certain user-defined design constraints, like minimum diameter, maximum velocity and minimum pressure. The total water demand is allocated to the pipes taking into account their length and a demand coefficient. The water demand of each pipe is then assigned to its start and end nodes and follows a specific demand pattern.

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This paper presents a new approach to divide large Water Distribution Networks (WDN) into suitable District Metered Areas (DMAs). It uses a hydraulic simulator and two operational models to identify the optimal number of DMAs, their entry points and boundary valves, and the network reinforcement/replacement needs throughout the project plan. The first model divides the WDN into suitable DMAs based on graph theory concepts and some user-defined criteria. The second model uses a simulated annealing algorithm to identify the optimal number and location of entry points and boundary valves, and the pipes reinforcement/replacement, necessary to meet the velocity and pressure requirements. The objective function is the difference between the economic benefits in terms of water loss reduction (arising from the average pressure reduction) and the cost of implementing the DMAs. To illustrate the proposed methodology, the results from a hypothetical case study are presented and discussed.

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Nowadays, the implementation of pressure management in District Metered Areas (DMAs) is considered one of the most effective tools for leakage control, particularly in large networks and in systems with deteriorated infrastructures and with high pressure. The goal of the methodology proposed in this paper is to identify the optimal entry points at DMAs, determine the network needs in terms of reinforcement/replacement, and fix both the location and settings of different types of Pressure Reduction Valves (PRVs) for leakage control. This methodology is based on an optimisation model, which is solved by a Simulated Annealing algorithm, and the solutions obtained always fulfil the minimum pressure requirements for the network. The objective function comprises the total cost of the DMAs implementation and the economic benefits that can be achieved by pressure management. Finally, the results for two case studies are presented and discussed.