A Novel Water Supply Network Sectorization Methodology Based on a Complete Economic Analysis, Including Uncertainties

Abstract

Abstract:The core idea behind sectorization of Water Supply Networks (WSNs) is to establish areas partially isolated from the rest of the network to improve operational control. Besides the benefits associated with sectorization, some drawbacks must be taken into consideration by water operators: the economic investment associated with both boundary valves and flowmeters and the reduction of both pressure and system resilience. The target of sectorization is to properly balance these negative and positive aspects. Sectorization methodologies addressing the economic aspects mainly consider costs of valves and flowmeters and of energy, and the benefits in terms of water saving linked to pressure reduction. However, sectorization entails other benefits, such as the reduction of domestic consumption, the reduction of burst frequency and the enhanced capacity to detect and intervene over future leakage events. We implement a development proposed by the International Water Association (IWA) to estimate the aforementioned benefits. Such a development is integrated in a novel sectorization methodology based on a social network community detection algorithm, combined with a genetic algorithm optimization method and Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology is implemented over a fraction of the WSN of Managua city, capital of Nicaragua, generating a net benefit of 25,572 $/year.

Leakage Detection and Estimation Algorithm for Loss Reduction in Water Piping Networks

“…More recently, the battle of background leakage outflows has been a subject of discussion in the research community [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. The current battle of background leakage assessment for water networks (BBLAWN) is an attempt to combine the methodologies for water distribution systems rehabilitation planning and sectorization [43][44][45][46][47][48][49] with pressure control management strategies [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62] to achieve a reduced leakage ratio and lower the water distribution systems operational cost. Certainly, reducing the pipe pressure will significantly reduce the leakage outflows in the network.…”

Automatic Multiscale Approach for Water Networks Partitioning into Dynamic District Metered Areas

“…Water Network Partitioning (WNP) has become one of the most attractive and studied strategy for the improvement of WDS management. Over the years, working with DMAs has helped water utilities to simplify water balance computation [15], carry out leakage control [9,33], [14] pressure management and hydraulic performance [35], monitor water quality [29,3], and speed up repairing interventions [2]. In this way, water utilities can easily and efficiently plan management programs and compare the overall WDS performance between DMAs, by reducing the complexity of the network layout into smaller monitored areas.…”

The Free-Swimming Device Leakage Detection in Plastic Water-filled Pipes through Tuning the Wavelet Transform to the Underwater Acoustic Signals

“…This analysis specifies the increasing gap between demand and supply of potable water that can hamper the urban development and also includes the financial losses and possible risk to peoples' health. The research concludes that a water pipeline system still demands extremely efficient water management [2] to differentiate and fix faults and leaks to protect the environment and bridge the increasing breaches between demand and supply of potable water in urban areas.…”