Multivariate analysis of the pressure variation in intermittent water supply systems and the impact on demand satisfaction

Abstract

In intermittent drinking water distribution systems, large volumes of the water are wasted due to leaks in the distribution networks. Similarly, user service is not always satisfied in the time required to fill the storage, nor with sufficient pressure. Hence the importance of this study. Measuring the variability of pressure in the distribution network and determining the factors that influence the definition of a sufficient minimum hours of service, is a first step to change to a continuous service 24/7, in order to minimize the volumes of lost water and meet demand. 347 pressure sensors were placed in a network to detect changes in pressure and obtain data for three years. This study presents a new approach to determine the operating policy of the operating agency that provides the service intermittently. Two objectives are pursued: pressure variability – to minimize Leaks – and define the minimum hours of service. The analysis was performed using multivariate statistical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis, Correlation Matrix and ANOVA's, to explore the association between objectives. The results obtained show that the pressure distribution has a Gaussian behavior and that the hours of service has a Poisson distribution.

From public service access to service quality: The distributive politics of piped water in Bangalore

“…For water infrastructure specifically, when urban utilities do not possess sufficient water to fully pressurize the network at once, they pressurize small segments of the water network-"valve areas" servicing roughly 50 -200 households-in rotation, distributing water to hydraulically isolatable neighborhoods at different points in time (Andey & Kelkar, 2007;Hyun et al, 2018;Ilaya-Ayza et al, 2017). Staggered area-byarea distribution is the dominant form of managing water scarcity in cities in India and other low-and middle-income countries (see e.g., Gottipati & Nanduri, 2013;Vairavamoorthy et al 2008;Sánchez-Navarro et al 2021). Staggered zone-wise distribution is also commonly used to manage the scarcity of resources for other services, such as electricity.…”

A Model of Intermittent Water Supply Simulating the Inequitable Distribution of Water

“…This is supported by Andey & Kelkar [12] who found significant variation in the measured pressure across four IWS networks also in India. Sánchez-Navarro et al [13] recorded the pressure at 347 points within an IWS network in Chihuahua, Mexico, over 3 years. The results showed significant variation in the local pressure at different points in the network.…”