Implementation of pressure reduction valves in a dynamic water distribution numerical model to control the inequality in water supply

The analysis of water distribution networks has to take into account the variability of users’ waterdemand and the variability of network boundary conditions. In complex systems, e.g. thosecharacterized by the presence of local private tanks and intermittent distribution, this variabilitysuggests the use of dynamic models that are able to evaluate the rapid variability of pressures andflows in the network. The dynamic behavior of the network also affects the performance of valvesthat are used for controlling the network. Pressure Reduction Valves (PRVs) are used for controllingpressure and reducing leakages. Highly variable demands can produce significant fluctuation of thePRV set point, causing related transient phenomena that propagate through the network and mayresult in water quality problems, unequal distribution of resources among users, and premature wearof the pipe infrastructure. A model was developed in previous studies and an additional module forpressure control was implemented able to analyze PRVs in a fully dynamic numerical framework. Themodel was demonstrated to be robust and reliable in the implementation of pressure managementareas in the network. The model was applied to a district of the Palermo network (Italy). The districtwas monitored and pressure as well as flow data were available for model calibration.