Better Water Demand and Pipe Description Improve the Distribution Network Modeling Results

Distribution system modeling simplifies pipe network in skeletonization and simulates the flow and water quality by using generalized water demand patterns. While widely used, the approach has not been examined fully on how it impacts the modeling fidelity. This study intends to evaluate these consequences in a typical water distribution system. We first analyzed tracer test data at 13 locations using a calibrated EPANET model with generalized water demand patterns. Modeling results agree with actual measurements in six locations with high water demand and flow velocity near the storage tank, while fail to replicate the variations in network abundant of dead-ends and Tee/Cross junctions. Then we further investigated the causes of model inaccuracy using real-time water demand data covering ~35% water users. This paper compares several levels of pipe skeletonization and water demand aggregation in water age simulation, and shows significant impacts on water age results because of discrete water demand at pipe nodes. The analysis reveals varying flow properties and the movement of highly aged water parcels in two types of pipe configurations. These results have the implications on network modeling and further studies of water quality simulations.