Evaluating infrastructure investments in water supply and distribution networks through a comprehensive assessment of hydraulic and water quality objectives and tradeoffs

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Water supply and distribution systems form an essential part of modern infrastructure and of the economies of both cities and nations, being the foundation of a healthy society and industrial base. These systems represent an estimated investment of $6 billion per million of population. The systems not only deteriorate over time, but are subject to random loads including pipe breaks, emergency actions, power failures and the effects of climate. Deteriorated systems are common and wasteful of both water and energy. This proposal focuses on unsteady flow conditions but seeks an integrated and holistic assessment of system performance. Transient pressures can be large and destructive, quite capable of breaking pipes, damaging equipment, or of causing dangerous water quality events. The possible threat to water quality has been given more attention lately since a sudden low pressure wave could cause backflow of contaminated water at certain appliances or sprinkler systems, or even intrusion of potentially contaminated water through leaks.