On-Line Water Consumption Monitoring as a Tool for Optimal Management of Water Distribution Network ^†

Abstract

Monitoring and computer modeling of water networks is an effective tool supporting water management in the city. The aim of this paper is to present the results of measurement campaigns carried out in Polanica-Zdrój, preceding the construction, calibration and validation of the hydrodynamic model of the water supply network. The obtained results showed that the changed conditions of the functioning of the local community during a pandemic also significantly affect the way water is used. Daily distribution of water consumption by residents of multi-family housing has been significantly “flattened” due to remote work and extended time at home. This confirms the necessity to conduct on-line measurements in order to calibrate the model reliably and effectively use the results of computer simulations.

1. Introduction

One of the most important elements that affect the strategy of a water company is managing the water demand in the city. The activities that are undertaken in this area include metering, water accounting, pricing policy, water loss control and education [1]. Hydrodynamic modeling of water supply and sewage networks can be an important tool supporting sustainable water management in the city. On-line measurements and computer simulations make it possible to quickly find the optimal variant of solving the problem with the water supply network and to enable an economically effective decisions regarding their modernization, without the need to make physical changes to the system. The aim of the work is to present the results of measurement campaigns carried out in Polanica-Zdrój, preceding the calibration and validation of the hydrodynamic model of the water supply network, which will be one of the main elements of the water management system in the city.

2. Materials and Methods

The water supply network in Polanica-Zdrój consists of 14.3 km of transmission and feeder mains (DN200-350 mm), 64.3 km of distribution mains (DN80-160 mm) and approx. 6.2 thousand service connections. The system is supplied from 5 intakes (underground and drainage water) cooperating with 6 elevated ground storage reservoirs. Due to the significant differences in terrain elevation, 19 pressure regulators were installed on the network to adjust the pressure in the system. Currently, a computer model of the water supply network is being developed; therefore, a metering campaign was carried out, including measurements of pressure, flows and water demand. The measurement campaign conducted so far has covered 20 pressure measurement points on the water supply network (sensors mounted on fire hydrants) and 40 points with recorders installed on water meters for various groups of consumers. All measuring devices were equipped with GSM data transmission modules. The analyzed results of flow measurements were obtained in March 2021, so they reflect the network operating conditions in the COVID-19 pandemic during a partial lockdown period.

3. Results and Discussion

Flows in the water supply network are subject to cyclical daily and hourly fluctuations (Figure 1), which is an obvious result of the changing demand for water by consumers. Therefore, the key element determining the hydraulic conditions in the water supply network is to determine the characteristics of water consumption for various groups of users (multi-family, single-family housing, commercial, industry, etc.).

The basic parameter characterizing the variability of water consumption is the hourly demand factor (HDF), which determines the ratio of the hourly amount of water used to the average hourly consumption for a given consumer. The maximum value of this factor (peak hour, PH) is one of the most important parameters used in the design of water supply infrastructure. Figure 2a shows the variability of the daily water consumption for a group of multi-family housing (MF) recipients, while Figure 2b shows a comparison of the HDF determined within presented study with the literature data [2,3].

From the analysis of the hourly variability of water consumption, significant differences between the studied objects and the data available in the literature can be observed. These differences are mainly due to changes in the lifestyle of residents caused by the pandemic and lockdown. The hourly water demand profile in the tested MF facilities has clearly flattened, the highest hourly water consumption falls in the morning hours and is extended in time, another short-time increase in consumption takes place in the evening hours. This is due to the fact that residents are at home most of the day (remote work and education), and therefore water consumption is more even throughout the day.

The obtained results confirm that in order to accurately characterize the parameters of the water supply network in terms of creating and calibrating, and then validating the computer model of the network, it is necessary to test the network in real conditions, because the use of literature data may lead to incorrect assignment of model parameters and erroneous simulation results. As a consequence, the risk of making wrong decisions in the management of the system increases.