Optimal Design of Water-Supply Pipe Systems Using Economic and Technical Analysis

Optimal design of water distribution networks involves an evaluation of different aspects such as economic and technical analysis, mechanical and hydraulic issues, and population-based strategies. These objectives often conflict, to an extent that finding the optimal solution for one of those objectives reduces the other objective’s utility. This paper presents an approach to select an optimal design between three pre-specified scenarios that accounts for both economic and technical issues to supply the required water demand to customers, and also satisfy decision makers’ criteria and meet the design purposes for Darakeh neighborhood in Tehran, Iran. WaterGEMS software that contains powerful GIS-based solution for efficiently modeling, managing, and protecting valuable resource water, was used to find a management solution and design an optimal water-supply system. Consequently, based on economic and technical scoring, one of the considered scenarios was evaluated as the best option for the water distribution network of the study area.