Konstantinos Gonelas

Accurate water demand spatial allocation for water networks modelling using a new approach

The paper presents an alternative approach regarding the spatial allocation of the actual water demand (at node level) when developing a pipe networks hydraulic simulation model. The process takes into account the respective demand patterns of the various types of water users, considering the water being lost through leaks/breaks occurring, as a competitive use. This new method accurately approximates the demand allocation of a network when there is no GIS data, thus having a significant impact on its cost effectiveness. Kos Town (Greece) water pipe network is used as the case study to demonstrate the entire process and the problems encountered. Finally, to prove its effectiveness the results of the new method were compared to MW-Voronoi diagram methods results and to field measurements.

Non-revenue water reduction through pressure management in Kozani’s water distribution network: from theory to practice

AbstractDuring the last few years, many water utilities are facing difficulties with the high non-revenue water (NRW) levels. Among the NRW management strategies, water pressure management (PM) is the most popular towards the goals of effective and efficient water use. In an effort to improve the level of services provided to consumers, minimize its operating expenses and reduce water leakage and pipes’ bursts, water utilities rely on water PM although it is one of the most expensive methods. This study analyses a methodology of calculating economic benefits and revenue losses caused due to the reduction of a system’s operating pressure. The reduction of System Input Volume causes direct benefits (e.g. reduced energy costs), while the reduced burst frequency causes direct (e.g. maintenance cost reduction) and indirect potential benefits (e.g. reduction in personnel, insurance and vehicle operation costs). The revenue losses are caused mainly due to the reduction of pressure-dependent water consumption. In...

Properly allocating the urban water meter readings to the nodes of a water pipe network simulation model

AbstractThis paper presents an alternative approach regarding the spatial allocation of the actual water demand when developing the hydraulic simulation model of an urban water pipe network. This approach can be applied in cases where the customers’ water meters are not georeferenced (usually the case in developing countries), reducing the computational time needed for the model’s calibration increasing, thus the method’s cost effectiveness. The simulation process takes into account the respective demand patterns of the various types of urban water uses, considering the water volume being lost through leaks/breaks occurring in the pipe network, as a competitive use. Each kind of water use is divided in its pressure-dependent part and its volume depended one. Both parts are introduced to the model. The water losses’ diurnal pattern calculation method is also thoroughly presented. Kos Town (Greece) water pipe network is used to demonstrate the entire process. To prove its effectiveness, the results of the n...