An Improved DeNSE Methodology for Optimal Sectorization of Water Distribution Networks

Abstract

Sectorization of a water distribution network (WDN) into district meter areas (DMAs) is considered a key strategy for an efficient management of WDNs. Typically, it involves a two-stage procedure: a clustering stage, in which the division of the WDN into clusters is performed, and a dividing stage, which involves the placement of valves and flow meters on the cluster’s boundary pipes to define the DMAs. While recently published methods attempt to enhance both the clustering and dividing stages, they fail to provide decision-making flexibility. They also neglect to consider the presence of existing valves in the WDN, which can significantly affect the evaluated implementation cost, often considered the primary decision-driving factor. This paper presents improvements to the previously introduced DeNSE method for sectorization of WDNs, aiming to address these deficiencies. The methodology consists of a clustering stage, based on the network uniformity index, and a dividing stage, in which the originally used heuristic procedure is replaced with Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization, minimizing implementation cost. Consideration of existing valves in WDN and criteria for water supply security are also included in the dividing stage to offer a better estimate of implementation costs and post-sectorized operational efficiency of the WDN. Finally, GIS visualization is implemented, and a hydraulic model of the sectorized WDN (EPANET file) is generated, providing practitioners with valuable insights and decision-making flexibility. The methodology is tested on a part of the Amsterdam WDN in the Netherlands, serving as a pilot for methodology evaluation. A range of feasible sectorization solutions is generated and compared based on implementation cost and three performance indicators (PIs). The paper provides an in-depth discussion on the selection of preferable sectorization solution. The reported results demonstrate the method’s efficiency in optimizing sectorization solutions with minimum implementation cost whilst preserving the WDN operational efficiency and meeting the local design criteria.

Water Supply Security—Risk Management Instruments in Water Supply Companies

“…The extent of damage is determined by creating scenarios derived from the hazard analysis and a vulnerability analysis using the BSM. The BSM represents a useful addition to existing instruments for determining vulnerability [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. The differences in the existing literature are summarised below:…”

“…There are many good tools for assessing the resilience of pipework systems [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. The known methods are complex and require sufficient and qualified data for an exact simulation.…”

“…The mathematical framework described in [24] has recently been further developed by Caldarola et al [25][26][27][28][29], among others. The mathematical principles are used in many hydraulic models, such as EPANET (Version 2.0) or the WaterNetGen software (EPANET extension-pipe dimensioning) [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. In [25], the challenges of hydraulic simulation are described, including the need for large amounts of data for the components of the network (systems, gate valves, valves, pipe materials), knowledge of the network topology, and water demand (consumption behaviour, peak demand).…”

“…Compared to hydraulic simulations with pipe network models [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], the system structure is depicted in a much simpler way. The exact pipe routing, elevation data, pipe dimensioning, material data, and consumption curves are only indirectly taken into account in the BSM by modelling a functioning system in terms of a balance.…”