Water Distribution Networks: Basic Concept

A water distribution system is a complex assembly of hydraulic control elements connected together to convey quantities of water from sources to consumers. The typical high number of constraints and decision variables, the nonlinearity, and the non-smoothness of the head-flow-water quality governing equations are inherent to water supply systems planning and management problems. Traditional methods for solving water distribution systems management problems, such as the least cost design and operation problem, utilized linear/nonlinear optimization schemes which were limited by the system size, the number of constraints, and the number of loading conditions. More recent methodologies employ heuristic optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithms or ant colony optimization as stand alone or hybrid data driven-heuristic schemes. This book chapter reviews some of the more traditional water distribution systems problem algorithms and solution methodologies. It is comprised of sub sections on least cost and multi-objective optimal design of water networks, reliability incorporation in water supply systems design, optimal operation of water networks.