Decision support system to divide a large network into suitable District Metered Areas.

Area of Science:

• Water resource management
• Network analysis
• Hydraulic engineering

Background:

• Water Distribution Networks (WDN) face challenges with water loss and operational inefficiencies.
• Dividing large WDNs into District Metered Areas (DMAs) is crucial for effective management.
• Existing methods may not fully optimize DMA configuration and network upgrades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new, integrated approach for optimal Water Distribution Network (WDN) segmentation into District Metered Areas (DMAs).
• To determine the ideal number and placement of DMAs, entry points, and boundary valves.
• To identify necessary pipe reinforcement or replacement strategies within a project plan.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a hydraulic simulator coupled with two operational models.
• Employed graph theory for initial DMA division based on user criteria.
• Applied a simulated annealing algorithm to optimize DMA parameters and pipe upgrades, considering hydraulic requirements.
• Defined an objective function balancing water loss reduction benefits against implementation costs.

Main Results:

• The proposed methodology effectively divides large WDNs into optimized DMAs.
• Identified optimal configurations for entry points, boundary valves, and pipe maintenance schedules.
• Demonstrated a quantifiable economic benefit through reduced water loss from pressure management.

Conclusions:

• The presented approach offers an effective strategy for optimizing Water Distribution Network (WDN) management through District Metered Areas (DMAs).
• The methodology provides a framework for balancing economic benefits with the costs of network improvements.
• This approach can lead to significant reductions in water loss and enhanced operational efficiency.