Development of small district adjustment based on public water demand to decrease the municipal water supply load

Abstract

This research microscopically estimates the spatial distribution of water demand and aims to use this to improve the existing zone system. So, this study used geographic information system (GIS) to predict the spatial distribution of water demand according to building unit by applying the basic unit of water use by purpose. Based on the results, the buildings were then grouped into blocks to produce a methodology for controlling small districts using a microscopic approach to decrease the water supply load based on water demand per block. Finally, verification was conducted by quantitatively evaluating the load-decreasing effect through the application of the above methodology. We evaluated efficiency and verified the study's methodology by analysing urban areas that had been Manhattanized and densificated, finding a reduction of approximately 16.7%. The possibility of expanding the study's scope to medium and large districts was suggested.

Keywords:

• water demand
• small district
• urban water management
• water supply load
• GIS

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the two reviewers for their helpful and constructive comments that helped us to improve the quality and clarity of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (NRF-2013R1A2A1A01014020).