Estimation of the calculation parameters of the water distribution network reliability with account of submain pipelines

Summary

The operational reliability of water distribution networks and a water supply system as a whole is a key challenge the engineering and operating companies are facing. Inadequate attention is paid to calculating the operational reliability parameters of loop water distribution networks at the design stage, notwithstanding the fact that the network being the largest and most expensive element of the water supply system (in big communities) compared to other parts of the system. Different options for calculating the reliability parameters of loop water distribution networks using the classical method – accounting only for significant pipelines and all elements of the water distribution network, such as submain pipelines, etc. are considered. The calculation results show that while considering all the pipelines in the calculations, the network operating time in emergency operation is reduced, whereas the network operating time in the ordinary course (except the customers connected directly to the pipe section being cut off for repairs) increases.

Key words

water supply network , hydraulic design , free pressure , network operation parameters , water distribution network reliability , reliability calculation methods , network failures