An economic valuation model for alternative pressure management schemes in water distribution networks

摘要

Pressure management (PM) is commonly used in water distribution networks (WDNs) to provide a wide range of benefits. This study presents an economic evaluation framework to support the decision-making process relating to alternative PM schemes. The methodology allows for the assessment the principal direct and indirect benefits and costs associated with using pressure-reducing valves (PRVs). The methodology is applied to a district metered area in a WDN in Mashhad, Iran, by changing the existing fixed-outlet (FO-PRV) to time-based (TM-PRV) and flow-based modulation (FM-PRV). The results indicated that FM-PRV is the most beneficial scheme for the studied case. The importance of estimating direct and indirect benefits is highlighted. The presented methodology is essential to persuade water utility decision-makers to recognize the economic feasibility and significant benefits of implementing PM schemes and justify the associated investment.