Reliability analysis of water distribution systems

Abstract

The aging and deterioration of our water supply infrastructure have resulted in performance deficiencies. Limited budgets require that resources for maintenance and rehabilitation be allocated in the most efficient manner. If resources are insufficient to correct all the deficiencies, restoration maintenance must be prioritized. Prioritization using reliability measures has been suggested as a management tool. This paper examines the developments in this field, explains some of the analytical approaches, discusses the conceptual and computational difficulties encountered, and reviews some ongoing research to resolve some of the problems.