A Combined Model to Calculate and Manage of Leakage in Water Distribution Networks

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Abstract

Leakage in water distribution networks causes waste of water and economical losses. In this paper a new method is presented to calculate nodal and pipes leakage in water distribution systems using capabilities of EPANET2.10 software. The method estimate the total water losses in the system based on IWA methodology using Minimum Night Flow (MNF) measurements. Recognising the pressure dependency of leakage the total water consumption is divided into two parts, one pressure dependent and the other independent of local pressure. The total leakage is then distributed in different nodes based on nodal pressures and then leakage at each pipe is calculated. Furthermore, the effects of leakage management are evaluated and leakage indices are determined. Based on the outputs of a case study in Ilam Province, the capabilities of the proposed methodology is evaluated. The results show that by combining the new method and hydraulic models the system can be simulated and nodal and pipe leakage are obtained using hydraulic parameters. It can also be observed that leakage performance indices have a great role in leakage management, prioritisation of loss reduction scenarios and budget consumption in water companies. Besides, these indices show the degree of success for leak reduction schemes. Finally, it was found that the infrastructure leakage index (ILI) is the most effective factor on the leakage and the best one to evaluate the leakage performance.

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