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Utilizing Smart Water Networks to Manage Pressure and Flow for Reduction of Water Loss and Pipe Breaks
Citation:
Karl, M., E. Culbertson, J. Abrera, AND R. Janke. Utilizing Smart Water Networks to Manage Pressure and Flow for Reduction of Water Loss and Pipe Breaks. Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
Deteriorating water infrastructure and associated repair and replacement costs are among the top concerns for water utilities around the world. Aging pipelines are more prone to leaks and catastrophic failures and require better management of pressures and flows in water distribution networks. However, many water utilities struggle to identify root causes of pipe breaks, develop and prioritize remedial approaches, and understand associated costs. For many water utilities, the water distribution network is the last frontier of improvement and optimization, with many systems lacking even basic pressure zone management. Utilities typically have vast amounts of SCADA data at key facilities, such as pump stations and storage tanks¿a virtual "data ocean" of underused information ¿ while vast areas of the water distribution network are devoid of monitoring, a virtual "data desert“. This imbalance leads to reactionary rather than proactive operation. But now, the age of smart water networks has arrived, which offers water utilities new and exciting ways to better manage their buried water infrastructure.
Description:
The objectives of this research include: •Using smart water network solutions to help water utilities better manage pressures and flows in their water distribution networks to extend the life of the piping network •Developing case studies for at least four water utilities using smart water network technology •Developing a guidance manual of best practices for implementing smart water network technology and systems to address the stated challenges.
URLs/Downloads:
https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/utilizing-smart-water-networks-manage-pressure-and-flow-reduction-water-loss-and