Graph based hydraulic modelling of pressure in water distribution networks

Abstract

The increased demands of water and high water losses in the past decade have brought a special attention to Water Distribution Networks. An efficient water distribution utilities management requires an adequate hydraulic modelling of the water network. Pressure analysis and control are key to the water management as they ensure a good delivery of water in the entire network by preventing water loss due to leakages. Traditional approaches of pressure control aiming to maintain a constant pressure in the entire network are deficient due to the continuous changes in water demands and therefore more effective methods of pressure control are needed. This paper proposes a hydraulic modelling of pressure for water distribution network. The pressure at the nodes in the network is modelled as graph equations to ensure a less complex pressure control and implementation. The results of this modelling show that to maintain an efficient water distribution, a pressure control mechanism is highly required. The simulations and discussions are presented for a case study were various control methods may be applied to monitor the pressure.