Heuristic Approach for Operational Response to Drinking Water Contamination

Abstract

This paper introduces a simple topological approach to systematize the isolation of contaminated areas within the pressure zones of drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Assuming optimal location of contaminant detectors and known flow conditions, a heuristic procedure delineates the area to be isolated and identifies the valves to be closed by response teams sent in the field, taking into account a response delay from the time of first detection. As a first step leading to the development of a more comprehensive algorithmic application, the approach was elaborated and validated from a pragmatic perspective using two real-world DWDSs. Depending on each network’s design, configuration, and assumed flow conditions, application of the isolation procedure will result in different isolation strategies (extent of isolated areas, number of required isolation valves). The current approach is based on a set of simplifying assumptions, and needs to be further validated with other networks. The proposed methodology can be used to assess the required emergency response capabilities and even possible network design improvements.