Advances in Water Mains Network Modelling for Improved Operations

The traditional approach to water mains network model calibration is too coarse. System and data anomalies impact on the simulated pressures in the models. These include unknown status valves, incorrect pipe data including pipe roughness values and unknown leaks. A combination of smarter field testing and staged optimisation analyses provides a promising solution to solving this complex problem. An anonymous model has been used to demonstrate that inclusion in the field test of planned hydrant discharges and concurrent tactical valve operations will help detect the unknown status valves but also lead to more accurate pipe roughness values and leakage hotspots.