Significance of Water Distribution Networks in Water Supply

It is a common temptation to suppose that consumer demand satisfaction is mostly dependent on the amount of water discharged into a network and hence, complaints about inadequate supply are usually blamed on insufficient production. However, a recent study by the authors indicated that equally important is the distribution network through which the water is supplied. In this paper, a water distribution network modeled in EPANET2 hydraulic solver was subjected to various conditions and constraints, and it’s response to the various stimuli was analysed. It was revealed that if water is to be efficiently supplied, then in addition to augmenting production, greater emphasis has also got to be put on the distribution system, which should be appropriately designed and optimised in order to deliver water at the required pressure and discharge. Specifically, it was observed that higher pressures can be obtained when bigger diameter pipes are used which reduce frictional loss, thereby reducing the pumping cost, and also pressures increase with the static head between the supply point and the node. It was also deduced that one of the ways to improve pressures is by limiting demand