Basic Principles of a DSS Tool Developed to Prioritize NRW Reduction Measures in Water Pipe Networks

• Published in: Exposure and health 2015-03, Vol.7 (1), p.39-51
• Main Authors: Kanakoudis, Vasilis, Tsitsifli, Stavroula, Cerk, Matej, Banovec, Primoz, Samaras, Petros, Zouboulis, Anastasios I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Benchmarks; Control methods; Decision making; Decision support systems; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Health; Hypotheses; Loss control; Networks; Original Paper; Pollution; Revenue; System theory; Waste Water Technology; Water and Health; Water consumption; Water distribution; Water engineering; Water loss; Water Management; Water pipelines; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Water utilities
• ISSN: 1876-1658; 2451-9766; 1876-1666; 2451-9685
• DOI: 10.1007/s12403-014-0111-0

Non-revenue water (NRW) in urban water distribution networks is a very demanding task to handle. NRW impacts are economic (lost revenues), environmental (water and energy losses) and social (inefficient water pricing policies not based on the actual water consumption profile/patterns). To deal with NRW, water utilities turn to water audit tools and water loss control methods. In this context, WATERLOSS project (2G-MED09-445) designed a Decision support system (DSS) tool to help water utilities reduce NRW, applying the most cost effective NRW reduction measure(s). The present paper presents the architecture of the DSS tool developed to classify and evaluate NRW control methods available (conventional and proposed ones). The DSS platform includes the DSS tool, which: (a) proposes a list of prioritized NRW reduction measures; (b) evaluates the network’s performance variables and indicators; (c) compares and benchmarks water distribution networks performances; (d) manages the registry of NRW reduction measures; and (e) induces the measures prioritized for any specific system.