Benefit cost analysis for leakage management and network rehabilitation in distribution systems

Abstract

It is important to identify, reduce, prevent and control the water losses for sustainable urban water management and efficient use of resources in potable water distribution systems. Economic analysis should be made to decide on the method to be followed and the path to be followed in the struggle against water losses. In this study, in order to reduce water losses in water distribution systems, it is aimed to perform economic analysis for leakage management activities and network rehabilitation. For this purpose, Malatya province water distribution system was chosen as the application area. The return period of the investments for leakage management made in the regions without rehabilitation is calculated as 3-4 months. On the other hand, depending on the high initial investment cost in the rehabilitated areas, the return period of the investments was on average between 13-17 years. As it can be understood from these calculated return period of investments, network rehabilitation appears as a tool with high initial investment costs. For this reason, it is considered very important to make cost-benefit analysis in determining, reducing, preventing and controlling water losses in a distribution system.