Service pressure regulation in water distribution networks

Real time pressure control is commonly adopted in water distribution network management to reduce leakage. A numerical description of the dynamic behaviour of the water distribution network (WDN) is introduced, allowing simulations of different case studies. A local, linear model is then identified from simulated experiments in order to synthesise different control algorithms working with control time step of 1 s. A state-of-the-art control algorithm operating with control time step of some minutes is used as benchmark. Results prove that all the new controllers reduce the control error, suggesting that cost and communication overheads introduced by control time step reduction are well motivated by sensible benefits in terms of pressure regulation.