AUTOMATIC BACKUP FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EMERGENCIES

摘要

Increased attention is being given these days to the potential vulnerabilities of water distribution systems.rnDistribution systems every day face the risks associated with “normal” emergencies such as water mainrnbreaks, pumping or valve facility failures, and water treatment plant or imported source shutdowns.rnToday there is increased concern that terrorist acts could also impact a water utility’s operation.rnThe aim of this paper is to explain how genetic algorithm (GA) optimization can be used to assist a waterrnutility in preparing for a wide range of possible emergency events. GA optimization enables planners tornidentify the most appropriate and least-cost system improvements needed to allow the system to continuernto function at an adequate level of service. By using GA optimization to sequentially apply differentrnemergency scenarios to a distribution model, the water utility can effectively enhance the redundancy andrnreliability of its distribution system in order to minimize the impact of a normal or extreme event thatrndisrupts the water supply.