Application of GIS and Hydraulic Modeling for Sustainable Management of Water Supply Networks: A Pathway for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6

This study presents a novel approach for coupling QGIS and hydraulic modeling using EPANET for the sustainable operation and management of water supply networks (WSNs) based on the pressure-dependent demand algorithm (PDA). The geo-referenced hydraulic model (GHM) was developed in QGIS utilizing the QWater plug-in, followed by the hydraulic performance appraisal based on the nodal pressures and flow velocities at the least and peak demand times. The global hydraulic performance index (HPIG) was implemented to assess the overall network reliability in 2030, generating HPIG values of 24.5% and 15% during least and peak demand, respectively. These outputs demonstrate poor hydraulic performance. Also, the simulation results indicated that at low demand, the water velocity and pressure ranged from 0.03-1.56 m/s to 0.78-78.62 m, respectively. At peak demand, the flow velocity and pressure ranged from 0.00-3.59 m/s to - 15.65-43.74 m, respectively. The suitability modeling of the ground-water potential zones (GWPZs) was implemented in QGIS utilizing the EasyAHP plug-in to facilitate the development of additional production wells. Consequently, a significant portion (36%) of the study area is highly suitable for implementing borehole wells. Therefore, integrating the QWater plug-in with EPANET 2.2 to develop and simulate the GHM of WDN based on PDA could support hydraulic engineers, field operators, planners, and decision-makers. The innovative approach would achieve several targets of SDG 6 (6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6) of the United Nations Agenda 2030.