Quality of Service in Irrigation Distribution Networks: Case of Palos de la Frontera Irrigation District (Spain)
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 6
Abstract
A methodology based on indicators was developed to study the quality of service provided in irrigation distribution networks. The indicators were divided into network descriptors and operational indicators, some calculated periodically and others in real time. The methodology has been applied to the Palos de la Frontera irrigation district (Spain) using information on flows, volumes, and pressures collected via remote metering devices linked to a central computer database. The results showed that the service provided in the district has good quality in terms of flow adequacy, distribution efficiency, and pressure and supply reliability. Problems dealing with the remote control system have been identified. Categories for the indicators have been established, studying the percentage of control points included in each and their probability of occurrence. The methodology is useful to determine the main problems in a distribution service and areas in the network which need improvement.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to express their most sincere gratitude to the reviewers and Ian K. Smout for their comments on the paper and the staff of Palos de la Frontera irrigation district for their information and data support. The writers would also like to put on record that the development of this paper has been possible, thanks to the National Program Of Human Research Resources Relocation (Jose Castillejo Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDPlan nacional de I-D+I 2008-2011).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 6 • December 2009
Pages: 755 - 762
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 21, 2008
Accepted: Apr 10, 2009
Published online: Apr 20, 2009
Published in print: Dec 2009
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