Pressure management strategies for water loss reduction in large-scale water piping networks: a review

Abstract

Water is a precious natural resource; human survival and nearly all modes of economic production depends on water. The efficient use of water resources is a subject of major concern for water utilities around the world. Within the last years, there has been a growing recognition of increasing water demands due to human population growth and urbanization. This poses a threat to the available water resource prompting for the efficient use of this resource. Nonetheless, one of the major challenges in improving the efficiency of drinking water supply networks is the minimization of water losses due to leaking pipes. In water distribution piping networks, water losses are unavoidable and are estimated to account up to 30% to 40% of the total amount of water supplied (input volume into the system) in many countries. Therefore, to satisfy the steadily growing water demand, this very important issue requires urgent attention. Research efforts conducted in the past acknowledged water pressure control as an effective method for reducing losses in water piping networks. Although, adequate pressure is required in the system to meet customer’s demands, it is a general agreements that reducing pressure will reduce the leakage flow rate as well as the possibility of pipe burst or crack. Several pressure management strategies have been proposed for leakage reduction in water distribution systems. In this work, we present an overview of the pressure management approaches proposed for reducing leakages in water distribution networks. Some previous and recent research efforts are outlined. Furthermore, information about leakage control, which may be useful for water utilities and pipeline engineers are provided.