Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 5331

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Interests: water supply systems; customer satisfaction; infrastructure asset management; water quality modeling; sustainability; life cycle thinking; risk management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Applied Science, School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
Interests: water quality management; sustainable water supplies; environmental risk analysis; life cycle thinking
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

An efficient and reliable urban water supply system provides consumers adequate, continuous, and safe drinking water. Various water supply system components, including source, transmission, treatment, and distribution, significantly differ depending on the area’s geographical and environmental settings. Conventional management practices, such as performance assessment using performance indicators, source-to-tap risk assessment, customer satisfaction evaluation, risk-based rehabilitation planning, water quality monitoring and assessment, water–energy nexus, and reliability and vulnerability analysis, help suppliers operate their systems efficiently and cost-effectively. Global climate change has introduced new water scarcity challenges, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions. Developing countries have always contended with limited water supply and mostly rely on intermittent supplies manifesting various water quality problems. The use of high chlorine levels for surface water sources may result in emerging disinfection byproducts. The Gulf countries provide high-cost desalinated water at low water rates supported by high governmental subsidies, which restricts suppliers from implementing aggressive asset management plans. Conventional management practices must be revisited to address the above-stated challenges with innovative solutions. For instance, the following are just some of the topics fit for inclusion in this Special Issue:

  • Customer-driven decision-making for improved reliability;
  • Water–energy nexus-based performance assessment of conveyance systems and distribution networks;
  • Application of artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning for emerging pollutants controls and improvement of hydraulic performance;
  • Circular economy-based analysis of urban water systems.

Dr. Husnain Haider
Dr. Haroon R. Mian
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water supply
  • water distribution system
  • water quality modeling
  • water infrastructure asset management
  • customer satisfaction
  • risk assessment

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4849 KiB  
Article
Leak and Burst Detection in Water Distribution Network Using Logic- and Machine Learning-Based Approaches
by Kiran Joseph, Jyoti Shetty, Ashok K. Sharma, Rudi van Staden, P. L. P. Wasantha, Sharna Small and Nathan Bennett
Water 2024, 16(14), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141935 (registering DOI) - 9 Jul 2024
Abstract
Urban water systems worldwide are confronted with the dual challenges of dwindling water resources and deteriorating infrastructure, emphasising the critical need to minimise water losses from leakage. Conventional methods for leak and burst detection often prove inadequate, leading to prolonged leak durations and [...] Read more.
Urban water systems worldwide are confronted with the dual challenges of dwindling water resources and deteriorating infrastructure, emphasising the critical need to minimise water losses from leakage. Conventional methods for leak and burst detection often prove inadequate, leading to prolonged leak durations and heightened maintenance costs. This study investigates the efficacy of logic- and machine learning-based approaches in early leak detection and precise location identification within water distribution networks. By integrating hardware and software technologies, including sensor technology, data analysis, and study on the logic-based and machine learning algorithms, innovative solutions are proposed to optimise water distribution efficiency and minimise losses. In this research, we focus on a case study area in the Sunbury region of Victoria, Australia, evaluating a pumping main equipped with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) sensor technology. We extract hydraulic characteristics from SCADA data and develop logic-based algorithms for leak and burst detection, alongside state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. These methodologies are applied to historical data initially and will be subsequently extended to live data, enabling the real-time detection of leaks and bursts. The findings underscore the complementary nature of logic-based and machine learning approaches. While logic-based algorithms excel in capturing straightforward anomalies based on predefined conditions, they may struggle with complex or evolving patterns. Machine learning algorithms enhance detection by learning from historical data, adapting to changing conditions, and capturing intricate patterns and outliers. The comparative analysis of machine learning models highlights the superiority of the local outlier factor (LOF) in anomaly detection, leading to its selection as the final model. Furthermore, a web-based platform has been developed for leak and burst detection using a selected machine learning model. The success of machine learning models over traditional logic-based approaches underscores the effectiveness of data-driven, probabilistic methods in handling complex data patterns and variations. Leveraging statistical and probabilistic techniques, machine learning models offer adaptability and superior performance in scenarios with intricate or dynamic relationships between variables. The findings demonstrate that the proposed methodology can significantly enhance the early detection of leaks and bursts, thereby minimising water loss and associated economic costs. The implications of this study are profound for the scientific community and stakeholders, as it provides a scalable and efficient solution for water pipeline monitoring. Implementing this approach can lead to more proactive maintenance strategies, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of urban water infrastructure systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System)
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15 pages, 3073 KiB  
Article
Wise Choice of Showerhead Patterns: How to Save Energy during Showering While Maintaining Thermal Comfort
by Dadi Zhang, Kowk-Wai Mui and Ling-Tim Wong
Water 2024, 16(7), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070928 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 842
Abstract
Heat transfer coefficients between shower water and human skin could significantly impact occupants’ thermal sensation and energy consumption during showering. A recent study found that heat transfer coefficients varied considerably among showerhead patterns. However, the specific effects of the showering heat transfer process [...] Read more.
Heat transfer coefficients between shower water and human skin could significantly impact occupants’ thermal sensation and energy consumption during showering. A recent study found that heat transfer coefficients varied considerably among showerhead patterns. However, the specific effects of the showering heat transfer process on the showerhead patterns have yet to be determined. Two experiments were conducted to quantify the spray patterns during showering, and the impacts of the patterns’ parameters on the heat transfer coefficient were examined using different statistical methods. Five showerheads with 18 spray patterns were tested in this study. The resistance factor, water supply pressure, and nozzle area ratio of these patterns were measured to qualify their shower performance. The results indicated that all the tested parameters significantly impacted the heat transfer coefficient in general, and using resistance factor and nozzle area ratio could accurately predict the heat transfer performance of the showerhead pattern. Additionally, this study demonstrated that changing to a showerhead with a higher heat transfer coefficient could save considerable energy while maintaining the same thermal sensation during showering. The influence of water spray patterns on the heat transfer coefficient could provide residents with scientific references when selecting showerheads in their bathrooms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System)
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18 pages, 4739 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation for Rehabilitation and Lining of a Problematic Canal
by Amir Ibrahim, Abdel Hamed M. Khater, Christina F. Gad and Elzahry Farouk M. Elzahry
Water 2023, 15(18), 3288; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183288 - 18 Sep 2023
Viewed by 948
Abstract
Canal lining and rehabilitation aim to distribute water, reduce losses, and ensure that water reaches the ends of the canals. Recognizing the need to improve the management of the irrigation system and maintain the width of strategic adjacent roads to canals, the Western [...] Read more.
Canal lining and rehabilitation aim to distribute water, reduce losses, and ensure that water reaches the ends of the canals. Recognizing the need to improve the management of the irrigation system and maintain the width of strategic adjacent roads to canals, the Western Meleg Canal in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, was selected as a case study. A reach of 1500–3400 km faces problems that impede the implementation of the lining sector as a result of the proximity of the buildings that could not be removed on the canal banks. Two alternatives, including the contraction of the bed width or coverage of the reach from 1500 km to 3400 km on the Western Meleg Canal, were explored. A coupled one-two dimensional numerical model to replicate the water surface profile and flow velocity was implemented. The total cost of each alternative was approximately estimated. The results show that the contraction of the bed width along the considered reach has a limited effect on the levels and velocities of water along the canal, as water levels increased by 2 to 6 cm from the design levels before the contraction of the width of the bed, and the maximum velocity of the water was 0.72 m/s. In the case of covering the selected reach, the difference in water pressure through the coverage (1500:4000 km) was 74 cm, and the coverage works under free flow. The estimated cost of covering is more than four times the cost of plain concrete lining. The findings of this study may help decision-makers and could be implemented in other such canals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System)
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18 pages, 5582 KiB  
Article
Statistical Modeling of Water Shortage in Water Distribution Systems in Guangzhou
by Weiping Cheng, Huidan Luo, Zhihong Long, Gang Xu and Lin Tian
Water 2023, 15(18), 3257; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183257 - 13 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1806
Abstract
In this study, data on water shortage events were collected from customer service systems. An analysis was conducted to establish the relationship between customers’ complaints and the water pressure flow conditions. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the probability of water shortage [...] Read more.
In this study, data on water shortage events were collected from customer service systems. An analysis was conducted to establish the relationship between customers’ complaints and the water pressure flow conditions. A mathematical model was developed to estimate the probability of water shortage events based on water head. The Sigmoid function is commonly used as an activation function in neural networks. The function of the model is the same as the Sigmoid function, and its critical parameters correspond to the service head requirements of water facilities. By considering the interaction between human emotions and artificial systems, this study provides novel insights into improving the operational control and construction of water distribution systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System)
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13 pages, 3103 KiB  
Article
Optimal Segmentation Approach for Reducing Water Outage Damage Considering Urbanization in Water Distribution Systems
by Min Jun Kim and Young Hwan Choi
Water 2023, 15(15), 2780; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152780 - 31 Jul 2023
Viewed by 728
Abstract
Damage due to abnormal conditions in water distribution systems is attributable to direct causes, such as facility deterioration, as well as indirect causes, including inadequate management, natural disasters, and negligence of a manager. Such damage can be prevented from being spread by closing [...] Read more.
Damage due to abnormal conditions in water distribution systems is attributable to direct causes, such as facility deterioration, as well as indirect causes, including inadequate management, natural disasters, and negligence of a manager. Such damage can be prevented from being spread by closing a shut-off valve to isolate the incident area, although additional damage may occur in the area isolated by the control valve due to water outage, thus requiring a structural solution. Therefore, this study proposed an optimal segment division technique that minimizes the damage due to water outage occurring in the isolated area by installing a shut-off valve at an appropriate location through an optimal valve location determination model designed based on various urban development scenarios. The proposed technique was applied to a benchmark network and J-city network in Korea for performance verification. This technique can be used to select the number of installable valves and find the optimal valve locations according to the urban development scenario. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Management of Urban Water Supply System)
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