Building a Methodology for Assessing Service Quality under Intermittent Domestic Water Supply

Abstract

This document proposes a methodology for assessing the quality of water distribution service in the context of intermittent supply, based on a comparison of joint results from literature reviews and feedback from drinking water operators who had managed these networks, with standards for defining the quality of drinking water service. The paper begins by reviewing and proposing an analysis of the definition and characterization of intermittent water supply (IWS), highlighting some important findings. The diversity of approaches used to address the issue and the difficulty of defining a precise and detailed history of water supply in the affected systems broadens the spectrum of intermittency characterization and the problems it raises. The underlined results are then used to structure an evaluation framework for the water service and to develop improvement paths defined in the intermittent networks. The resulting framework highlights the means available to water stakeholders to assess their operational and management performance in achieving the improvement objectives defined by the environmental and socio-economic contexts in which the network operates. Practical examples of intermittent system management are collected from water system operators and presented for illustration purposes (Jeddah, Algiers, Port-au-Prince, Amman, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Mexico, Cancun, Saltillo, Mumbai, Delhi, Coimbatore . . .).

Advances in Water Distribution Networks

“…Four papers in the special issue namely [40,41,45,49] have the merit of presenting comparative analyses. The results of these works may become a benchmark for future reference and may also offer precious information to orientate future research efforts.…”

“…The former concerns estimation of NRW, inclusive of leakage and unauthorized consumption, using multiple regression analysis and artificial neural networks [48]. The latter, instead, proposes a methodology for assessing service effectiveness under intermittent supply conditions [49].…”

“…NRW is an important parameter for prioritizing the improvement of a WDN. The paper shows that the accuracy of multiple regression analysis (MRA) is low compared to the measured NRW ratio, where the accuracy of estimation by an artificial neural network (ANN) with the optimal number of neurons, is higher; • Mokssit et al [49] propose a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of water distribution service in the context of intermittent supply, based on a comparison of joint results from literature reviews and feedback from drinking water operators who had managed these networks, with standards for defining the effectiveness of drinking water service. The results are used to structure an evaluation framework for water service and to develop improvement paths defined in intermittent networks.…”

Appraisal of Public Pipe-borne Water Quality in Jimeta/Yola Adamawa State (Nigeria): From the Treatment-plants to End-user Points

“…The pipe-water supply according to the study was characterized by an irregular flow that runs weekly or twice a week and in some cases, thrice a month [5]. The irregular or intermittent piped water supply was reported to serve as a causative medium through which contaminates entered the water channels, thus increasing the risk to public health [7,19,20].…”

Evaluating Water Resource Accessibility in Southwest China

“…Water resources are essential for maintaining the sustainable development of eco-socio-economic systems [1,2]. However, due to climate change, economic growth, population increase, and improper water resource management, many environmental problems, such as serious water pollution, the deterioration of the water environment, and an increased contradiction between water supply and demand, have become increasingly severe, creating strategic problems worldwide [3][4][5][6][7]. The United Nations (UN) estimates that more than one-third of the population on the planet will face a freshwater crisis by 2030 [8], and residents in regions with relatively abundant water resources will still have to spend time and energy to obtain water resources, which not only increases their living costs but also impacts health [9,10].…”