Spatiotemporal and deterioration assessment of water main failures

Many water utilities are experiencing high failure rates in their drinking water distribution water mains, and the consequence of these failures can be severe in terms of social, economic, environmental, and reputational outcomes. This study analyzed clustering-based spatiotemporal failure patterns in six selected water service areas in California. Water main failure hot spot zones that are of concern were identified, and a time-dependent Poisson process was further used to assess associated deterioration patterns. These findings can help water utilities make more informed strategic, tactical, operational, and contingency decisions regarding asset management activities in the global pursuit of providing higher levels of service to customers.