Estimation of the benefits yielded by pressure management in water distribution systems

Abstract

The occurrence of water losses in Water Distribution Systems is inevitable. Knowing that most of the real losses take place in distribution mains and in service connections, the methodology proposed in this paper is based on several leakage-assessment approaches from literature and on water distribution network modeling. This allows assessment of the benefits that can be achieved by pressure management in Water Distribution Systems, particularly in terms of water production reduction. Moreover, this approach can be useful for cost benefit analysis to help establish the level after which there is no more economic interest in reducing water losses (Economic Level of Leakage). Finally, the results from hypothetical case studies are presented and discussed, assuming the installation of Pressure Reducing Valves at District Metered Areas entry points.

Keywords:

• water losses
• pressure management
• minimum night flow

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) for the award of the PhD grant under POS_C – Skills Development Support – Measure 1.2. Reference: SFRH/BD/31723/2006.