Decision support algorithms for sectorization of water distribution networks

Many water utilities, especially ones in developing countries, continue to operate low efficient water distribution networks (WDNs) and are consequently faced with significant amount of water (e.g. leakage) and revenue losses (i.e. non-revenue water – NRW). First step in reducing the NRW is assessment of water balance in WDN aimed to establish the baseline level of water losses. Then, water utilities can plan NRW reduction activities according to this baseline. Sectorization of WDN into District Metered Areas (DMAs) is the most cost-effective strategy used for active leakage (i.e. water loss) control, achieved by monitoring the flow data on DMAs’ boundaries. Sectorization of WDN has to be designed carefully, as required network interventions can endanger network’s water supply and pressure distribution. In this thesis new methods and algorithms, aimed to support making more effective and objective decisions regarding the WDN sectorization procedure, are presented, tested and validated. Presented methods and algorithms are part of proposed decision support methodology compensating for disadvantages in available methods, valuable to practicing engineers commencing implementation of sectorization strategy in WDN. Main sectorization objective adopted in methodology presented in this thesis is to design layout of DMAs that will allow efficient tracking of water balance in the network. Least investment for field implementation and maintaining the same level of WDN’s operational efficiency are adopted as main design criteria. New sectorization algorithm, named DeNSE (Distribution Network SEctorization), is developed and presented, adopting above-named objective and design criteria. DeNSE algorithm utilizes newly developed uniformity index which drives the sectorization process and identifies clusters. New engineering heuristic is developed and used for placing the flow-meters and isolation valves on clusters’ boundary edges, making them DMAs. Post-sectorization operational efficiency of WDN is evaluated using adopted performance indicators (PIs). Top-down approach to hierarchical sectorization of WDN, particulary convenient for water utilities constrained with limited funding and insufficient reliable input data, is also implemented in DeNSE algorithm. New method for hydraulic simulation, named TRIBAL-DQ is developed to address the issue of low computational efficiency, recognized in available sectorization methodologies employing optimization. TRIBAL-DQ is a loop-flow based method which combines the novel TRIangulation Based ALgorithm (TRIBAL) for loop identification with efficient implementation of the loop-flow hydraulic solver (DQ). TRIBAL-DQ method is tested on various networks of different complexities and topologies. This thesis reports only results of testing on literature benchmark networks, used to validate methods’ performance. TRIBAL-DQ method based hydraulic solver is compared to the node based solver implemented in EPANET, most prominent software for hydraulic calculation of WDN. New TRIBAL-DQ solver showed significant dominance in computational efficiency, with stable numerical performance and same level of prediction accuracy. DeNSE algorithm is benchmarked against other available sectorization methodologies on real-sized WDN. Obtained results demonstrate the ability of DeNSE algorithm to identify good set of feasible solutions, without worsening operational status of the WDN compared to its baseline condition. Reported computational efficiency of the algorithm is one of its strong points, as it allows generation of feasible solutions for large WDN in reasonable time. In this field, algorithm particularly outperforms methods employing multi-objective optimization (e.g. minutes compared to hours).