THIRD INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP WATER LOSS REDUCTION IN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The objectives of the Workshop were achieved, a veru good experience and information exchange
The main goals were :
 To encourage the exchange of experience and information on successful examples within the different national/local programmes in improving leakage control and water losses reduction in water supply systems;
 To concentrate on the most promising approaches, highlighting especially the need in institutional capacity development and the establishment of cooperation in order to apply the best available technical and managerial solutions;
 To collect facts and figures and good case stories to increase awareness and attention to the issue of water loss reduction by decision-makers and water managers;
 To support the development of the countries’ potential in the problem definition and their direct involvement in the search for applicable solutions;

and technical solutions was given concerning:
Approaches of the International Water Association (IWA)
Pressure management
Active water loss control
Rehabilitation of water supply systems and asset management

WATER LOSSES REDUCTION USING THE RECENT INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR GIS AND COMPUTER-BASED HYDRAULIC MODELS
PHD CAPOTESCU MARIA-CRISTINA , SC AQUATIM SA, GIS AND NETWORK MODELING SPECIALIST, PHD RACELESCU RADU , SC AQUATIM SA, MANAGER OF STRATEGY AND CHANGE, radu.racelescu@aquatim.ro , PHD GROZAVESCU MIHAI, SC AQUATIM SA, ASSISTENT MANAGER , mihai.grozavescu@aquatim.ro ,PHD BADALUTA SIMONA , POLITECHNIC UNIVERSITY TIMISOARA, , badalutasimona@yahoo.com , MR MARCU MARIUS , ENGINEER, SC AQUATIM SA, HEAD OF GIS AND NETWORK MODELING SPECIALIST, marius.marcu@aquatim.ro, MR ALIN ANCHIDIN, SC AQUATIM SA, HEAD OF WATER LOSS DETECTION COMPARTMENT, alin.anchidin@aquatim.ro ,

ABSTRACT
In this article it is presented the current situation of Aquatim computer based projects and pilot projects for GIS, SCADA, hydraulic modeling and how it is possible to be applied to reduce water losses.
The conventional approach of leak detection is based on several techniques currently used for detecting where leakage is occurring in a distribution system, regular or random sounding surveys, step-testing of sub-systems and acoustic loggers as a survey tool.
According to recent studies and experiences there is possible to have a new approach using optimization method and modeling tools for leakage detection in water distribution. This may be complied by synergistic use of computer technology available.
Aquatim’s projects GIS for hydraulic model building and leakage detection team may have in commune Darwin Calibrator method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution. The main aspect that may lead them to work together is the need to use the same data sets and information.
The main scope of this article is to present a real life situation of applied knowledge and technology for water losses reduction and to present the new possible directions to be followed for Timisoara and other cities from Eastern Europe with an similar history.




THE SETBACKS OF CONVENTIONAL APPROACH OF LEAK DETECTION

The conventional approach of leak detection is based on several techniques currently used for detecting were leakage is occurring in a distribution system, regular or random sounding surveys, step-testing of sub-systems and acoustic loggers as a survey tool.

It is time consuming and costly for a leak detection crew to apply the current leakage detection apparatuses and procedures to all the water pipelines throughout a system. Leaks are also becoming harder to find because pressure management causing less disturbance from those leaks. At the same time, sounding for leaks has become more difficult because the ferrous mains are replaced with less acoustically responsive plastic pipe.

According to recent studies and experiences there is possible to have a new approach using optimization method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution. This may be complied by synergistic use of computer technology available.

CURRENT SITUATION OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY USE IN AQUATIM

Timisoara water systems have the particularity that information about location and underground networks were not held in graphical and numerical formats. That led to the necessity of creating and converting data from paper sources to computerized formats.

Because the advancements and affordability of the new computer technology now we have the chance to use the technology and to benefit from the experience and results of the water companies that applied GIS an modeling methods and tools for decades.

In Timisoara municipality implemented in 2001 a mapping project and in this process water and sewer networks were transferred on an electronic map. The paradigm was to create a map of the location of the pipe on two dimensions in order to be used as an instrument mainly for permit of construction. The map was based on aerial photogrammetry.

In November 2007 started the implementation of a new GIS model of the water and sewer network. The GIS inherited the graphical and numerical attributes of the older mapping system. The new approach is to use GPS to position the assets and review and inspect on the site entire network and complete a data base with the assets attributes.

In March 2008 Aquatim throw ISPA programs had access to a modeling program WaterGEMS from Bentley.In 2008 IWA awarded Darwin Calibrator for optimization method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution.

In 2009 Aquatim launched, in partnership with the Technical Construction University from Bucharest a project for the development of a pilot study of the water supply system hydraulic model in “Neptun” DMA. The project was completed in Julie 2010.

In 2009 was implemented a new SCADA system to monitor pressure, chlorine and flow.

1. SCADA monitoring screen

RECENT INOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR LEAKAGE DETECTION

Aquatim’s projects of using computer technology to complete GIS data base in order to be used for automated build of a hydraulic model of the network and leakage detection team may have in commune Darwin Calibrator method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution. The main aspect that may lead them to work together is the fact that they need to use the same data sets.

For hydraulic modeling it is needed to construct the physical model, have the metered consumption data, DMA’s, pressure monitoring data, site test for flows and snapshot pressures. In the calibration process may be revealed differences between estimated and calculated model and the real situation.

In 2008 IWA awarded Darwin Calibrator for optimization method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution. The computerized hydraulic modeling technology of calibrating water network models is proofed to be a useful instrument for detecting the hot spots of the water network where are the probable water leakage or unaccounted water.

CURRENT SITUATION OF GIS IN AQUATIM

In November 2007 started the implementation of a new GIS model of the water and sewer network. The GIS inherited the graphical and numerical attributes of the older mapping system. The new approach is to review and inspect on the site entire network and complete a data base with the network attributes.

The development of a GIS database enables specific network information to be updated, identified and analyzed more efficiently. The company’s dedicated GIS compartment relies on state-of-the-art software which allows a better data organization and management.

The data is collected from the field by the specialized people and teams from maintenance of water and wastewater network. From August 2008 up to early 2010, around 37% of the water supply and 53% of the wastewater collection systems from Timisoara were checked. In this pace, in approximately 2 years, the entire city will be covered.


2. GIS Internet page to view water network data, in “Neptun” area

PILOT STUDY FOR COMPUTER BASED HYDRAULIC MODEL IN TIMISOARA

In 2009 the decision group of GIS analyzed an alarm sign of the risk of completing GIS water system and not to be possible to build a hydraulic model for the water network based on GIS data because of the discrepancies between the GIS professional approach a real modeling needs of data structure and settings.
In the research process, from the best practices and the best approaches demonstrated by the experience of other groups of professionals and applied on existing systems, was discovered that it was a commune pitfall

That’s way in 2009 management decided that it is urgent to start earlier the hydraulic modeling based on GIS and Aquatim launched, in partnership with the Technical Construction University from Bucharest a project for the development of a pilot study of the water supply system hydraulic model in “Neptun” DMA.

The project was completed in Julie 2010. The hydraulic modeling process revealed all the data gaps and the necessary adjustments that need to be done in the GIS data structure and data formats in order to be suitable as a data source for a computerized model.


3. Water hydraulic computer model for “Neptun” area

LEAK DETECTION AND WATER LOSS REDUCTION RESULATS

In the ‘Case-Study regarding the implementation of the water loss reduction strategy in Timisoara’ presented at the Proceedings of the 2nd Regional Workshop on Water Loss Reduction in Water & Sanitation Utilities South East European Countries, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2009 was documented of the water losses reduction strategy and the first results obtained after its implementation from January 2008 in “Neptun” DMA and “Plopi” DMA.

The implementation of the strategy to reduce the water losses in Timisoara City has started in 2008, having a result the reduction of losses by 2% at the end of the first year. The un-billed water volume in 2008 was about 15 million m3 with 2.2 million m3 less than in 2007.

Conclusions were that the division of the water supply system in metered areas, which allows for the direction of the detection activity to that part of the distribution system with the highest loss, also allows for the identification of the necessary investments and enables the ranking of those investments in order of priority.

It was concluded also that monitoring of the specific performance indicators to the DMA, at least on a monthly basis, leads to the growth of operating performance within the system (through quick location of the losses, and growth of speed and quality of repairs), and of course the reduction of the water loss caused by damages.

The actual situation of DAM’s is that are isolated 2 DMA’s and other two almost isolated. The total DMA’s will be 23. The network is already divided in two large areas Nord and South and is possible to have a water balance on those two.

FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF LEAKEGE REDUCING IN TIMISOARA

Following the pilot project of hydraulic modeling next step is to make some calibration data field measurements on ‘Neptun’. DMA. This will allow creation of patterns for consumption variations daily, hourly and monthly.

The process of calibration will allow having a better image about the existing situation of the water network and to gain experience for modeling and calibrating in order to be applied it on the entire network. Using the existing DMA’s for modeling and calibration of a pilot project we can identify the data need and the structure of data to be implemented for the entire network.

This will allow to detect areas were it is necessary to optimize the data process collection and do data formats adjustments. This will lead to better and costly effective use of resources.
It is expected that GIS team will continue to build the map of the network until it is covered all the city area. The next probable step will be to create a hydraulic model. And the leakage detection team will implement the DMA’s. The most important is to conduct activities in parallel with the scope of a final convergent result.
We should consider that we have a full metered network. On this base we should realize a hydraulic water network model based on the GIS data and using Darwin Calibrator in WaterGEMS by Bentley to detect the most problematic areas to be investigated in order to find losses.
For an effective detection of problematic junctions of a network it is necessary to have a set of field measurements that are compared with calculated data in the computerized model. According to recent studies and experiences there is possible to have a new approach using optimization method and modeling tool for leakage detection in water distribution. This may be complied by synergistic use of computer technology available.

This step it is necessary because it would allow using the existing GIS programs and technology to the higher level and to use and implement

CONCLUSIONS
It is expected to achieve better results using the last available technology and conducting a good knowledge management. The development and affordability of computer technology is tremendous. The efforts of studding and apply them it is important and may lead to far better results than the traditional methods. Appling the existing informatics infrastructure and the available specialty literature knowledge and case studies in current activity it is a best practice.
The support and contribution of the professionals in the new so called ‘knowledge era’ is mandatory for today practice. The synergistic use of technologies for problem solving and interdisciplinary studies may lead to better informed decision.
The pilot studies are crucial for large systems because can reduce time, resources and money in order to obtain better results. Applying the theoretical knowledge proofed to be very challenging.
REFERENCES
• Grozavescu O., Bodor K., Vlaicu I., Anchidin A. ‘Case-Study regarding the implementation of the water loss reduction strategy in Timisoara’ paper presented at the Proceedings of the 2nd Regional Workshop on Water Loss Reduction in Water & Sanitation Utilities South East European Countries, Bulgaria, Sofia, 2009
• Zheng Y.W.,Sage P., ‘Water Loss Detection Via Genetic Algorithm Optimization-Based Model Calibration’, paper presented at ASCE 8th Annual International Symposium on Water Distribution System Ananlysis, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 27-30, 2006
• Zheng Y.W.- ,’Innovative Optimization Model for Water Distribution Leakage’* Haestad Methods Solution Center, Bentley Systems, Incorporated, 27 Siemon Co Dr, Suite 200W, Watertown, CT06795, USA
• http://www.aquatim.ro, Aquatim 2005-2009 Annual Report
• http://www.aquatim.ro, Aquastiri 2009, 2010
• http://www.bentley.com
• http://www.unwater.unu.edu/file/get/35
• http://www.idswater.com/Common/Paper/Paper_55/NON%20REVENUE%20WATER.htm