Computational Model of Water Distribution Network Life Cycle Deterioration

Abstract

Water distribution networks (WDNs) have a long life cycle, and understanding how infrastructure deteriorates over time can contribute to its efficient management. In this paper, a computational model is developed to simulate the deterioration of a WDN over its life cycle and analyze how its operation is affected, both hydraulically and economically. For this, four parameters are considered, changing over a 20-year life cycle: (1) an increase in water consumption due to population growth, modeled using statistical growth rates; (2) the deterioration of pipes, which increases according to a constant growth rate of internal roughness; (3) a change in leakage in the network, calculated based on population size, network length, and operating pressure; and (4) the deterioration of pumps, estimated according to their mechanical aging. The results point to maintenance services being essential for the efficient operation of WDNs, with leaks having the greatest impact on operating costs.