Optimization of water distribution networks : a digital approach
Authors:   , Mongwe Regionald 
Published: September 2024

Water stands as the fundamental cornerstone of life, and with the human population growing exponentially, the critical importance of sustainable water management becomes increasingly evident. Water not only serves as the essential working fluid for major chemical processes, including thermal energy generation, but it is also integral to manufacturing and domestic use. Despite its significance, water is a scarce commodity, and the planet continues to lose this precious resource due to theft, pipe bursts, and leakages in water distribution networks (WDNs). The consequences of water loss extend beyond the impact on physical resources, as it is intricately linked to financial challenges. Thus, water loss has the potential to result in substantial financial setbacks for companies, organizations, and government entities, underscoring the interdependence of water management and fiscal sustainability. In response to these challenges, digital technologies have been harnessed to optimize WDNs. A major constraint lies in deciphering the applicable digital technologies due to the multidisciplinary nature of the research area encompassing WDNs and digital technologies; therefore, this study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) combined with digital tools, to comprehensively extract all aspects of a WDN, ranging from sensors to enterprise resource planning (ERP), including equipment and systems. This literature forms the foundational basis for constructing a framework aimed at creating a content repository for digital WDN sustainability. To further develop the framework, this study reviews international best practices in digital WDN. This is adopted in developing a digital WDN framework based on the literature and classifying a database structure from sensor to ERP for a generic WDN. Furthermore, the study explores tools and systems for optimization as well as updating the theoretical structure with Johannesburg WDN data and provides a comprehensive evaluation for enabling digital WDN in South Africa. The digital WDN framework comprises three distinct components: security, a central management database (CMDB), and best practice architecture. The architecture involves five layers, including the physical layer, communication layer, data storage and analysis layer, benefit layer, and application layer. Utilizing systematic literature review and bibliometric keyword analysis, the study determines the equipment, systems, and their uses, leading to the development of a generic WDN. Validation of the framework using the generic WDN emphasizes the equipment and systems used in each of the five layers. Furthermore, the framework is validated using Johannesburg Water's WDN, leading to the development of a CMDB. The CMDB underscores the possibility of storing physical layer and communication layer configuration items (CIs) and highlights asset management, CI relations, change management, and historian capabilities. Maintaining an accurate and updated CMDB necessitates employing asset discovery solutions, while CMDB relationship mapping plays a crucial role in assessing the ripple effects of CI changes within a complex system. Finally, the measurement of the digital maturity of Johannesburg Water's WDN using the Administração e Gestão de Sistemas de Salubridade (AGS) maturity index reveals a maturity index of 62%. The index emphasizes strong capabilities in GIS integration and data collection through the SCADA system. Despite advancements in planning systems, such as domestic flow metering, there remains an opportunity to enhance asset management capabilities for continuous improvement in WDN operations.