Water Loss Reduction in Water Distribution Networks. Case Study

Abstract

Water losses on the potable water distribution networks represent an important issue; on the one hand, water loss does not bring money and on the other hand, they modify water flow and pressure distribution on the entire system and this can lead to a cut-off of the water supply. A stringent monitoring of the water distribution network reduces considerably the water losses. The appearance of a leakage inside the distribution network is inevitable in time. But very important is its location and repair time – that are recommended to be as short as possible. The present paper analyses the hydraulic parameters of the water flow inside a supply pipe of a looped network that provides potable water for an entire neighbourhood. The main goals are to optimize these parameters, to reduce water losses by rigorous monitoring and control of the service pressure on the supply pipe and to create a balance between pressure and water flow. The presented method is valid for any type of distribution network, but the obtained values refer strictly to the analysed potable water distribution looped network.