Optimal Scheduling of Pipe Replacement

Smart water network (SWN) modeling technology can help utilities effectively manage critical infrastructure assets while maintaining the desired level of service at the lowest life cycle cost. SWN models can be divided into four general categories, geographic information systems (GIS), network, asset integrity and finance models. Used together, these models constitute a decision support and strategic asset management tool for utility managers. By using them to conduct a wide ranging risk-based economic life cycle cost analysis, they can estimate the lifetime performance of each individual pipe in their water and wastewater networks, including their expected failures, repairs, and eventual replacement, as well as associated costs of optimizing the management of those high risk assets. A GIS model acts as the central storehouse for all water and wastewater network asset data. From this database, inputs to all models are generated and model results are associated for query, analysis and display on the network map. Finance models balance capital expenditure against marginal cost to minimize the overall cost of asset ownership. Network models make use of continuity, energy and momentum principles, and reaction kinetics to track actual system hydraulic and water quality performance over time.