Water Distribution Network Assessment for Future Needs and Insights to Climate Change

Abstract

Global and regional water resources systems will be impacted by climate change and the inflow to drinking water reservoirs is a significant issue. Urbanization increases water demand in cities, and deteriorating infrastructures lead to leaks in water distribution systems. The study aims to evaluate and create a new water distribution system for Surat City’s North Zone in India. WATER- GEMS which is a computer program used in hydraulic behavior simulation with the pressure pipe networks was used. The water distribution network has been analyzed for a 24 × 7 continuous water supply for the present population. Population forecasting is also carried out for 30 years by considering 2022 as the base year. The existing water distribution network was analyzed for future demand, in which it is observed that some portion of the water distribution network is not enough to deliver the necessary quantity with the least amount of pressure and head loss. The water distribution network is then redesigned as per the requirement to reduce head loss and maintain the minimum pressure as per Central Public Health & Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO). It was found that the pressure at all junctions and the flow with their velocities at all pipes are sufficient to supply the network of the study region with enough water. The study's conclusions will aid decision-makers in addressing the issue of water scarcity and meeting user needs.

Keywords: 24 × 7 water supply, climate change, New North Zone-Surat City, water distribution network