Multi-outlet storage tanks to improve water distribution networks in India

In developing countries, intermittent water supply (IWS) regimes have become a usual mode for operating the water supply systems. The reasons and adverse impacts (inequitable supply, deterioration of pipeline and so on) of the IWS regime are well documented in the literature; however, limited work is available on solutions to improve the IWS regime. Here, we propose the application of multi-outlet storage tanks to overcome the issues in the IWS regime by considering field conditions in India. Two real-life water distribution networks (WDNs) from India were considered as case studies. The distribution networks were optimized followed by hydraulic simulation on various water demand situations to compare the residual pressure in single outlet and multi-outlet storage tank scenarios. The results are encouraging in terms of residual pressures and economy for the multi-outlet storage tank scenario. Additionally, operational benefits of a multi-outlet storage tank make it an ideal low-cost intervention for improving WDNs in India.