Modeling in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Overcoming the Water Sector’s Data Struggles to Realize the Potential of Hydraulic ModelsSource: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management:;2022:;Volume ( 148 ):;issue: 006::page 05022003Author:Helena R. Tiedmann
,
Lauryn A. Spearing
,
Lina Sela
,
Kerry Kinney
,
Mary Jo Kirisits
,
Lynn E. Katz
,
Jessica Kaminsky
,
Kasey M. Faust
DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0001561Publisher: ASCE
Abstract: Hydraulic models can provide efficient and cost-effective ways for water utilities to evaluate changes in operating conditions (e.g., population dynamics, disasters), thereby increasing system resiliency during crises. Unfortunately, model development remains out of reach for many utilities because of high software costs, data needs, or personnel requirements. This study seeks to classify hydraulic modeling data needs, identify success factors and challenges associated with model development, and determine whether modeling a subzone of a larger water distribution network can provide useful insights during a crisis, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. At the pandemic onset, we began developing a hydraulic model of the water distribution system of the University of Texas at Austin campus—a subsystem of the water distribution network of Austin, Texas—to understand how spatiotemporal changes in water demands impacted system performance. We found that the completed model can offer useful insight into the impacts of demand changes within the modeled subsystem (e.g., potential locations of water stagnation). However, the data collection and processing challenges encountered (e.g., siloed collection efforts, lack of standardization, lengthy processing) reflect barriers to model development and use. The amount of time required to gather and process the necessary data shows that model development cannot occur during a time-sensitive crisis, likely rendering any insight too late for use. Here, we make recommendations to address data-related challenges and support utilities in incorporating hydraulic modeling into emergency planning.
|
Show full item record
contributor author | Helena R. Tiedmann | |
contributor author | Lauryn A. Spearing | |
contributor author | Lina Sela | |
contributor author | Kerry Kinney | |
contributor author | Mary Jo Kirisits | |
contributor author | Lynn E. Katz | |
contributor author | Jessica Kaminsky | |
contributor author | Kasey M. Faust | |
date accessioned | 2022-05-07T20:37:17Z | |
date available | 2022-05-07T20:37:17Z | |
date issued | 2022-03-24 | |
identifier other | (ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0001561.pdf | |
identifier uri | http://yetl.yabesh.ir/yetl1/handle/yetl/4282667 | |
description abstract | Hydraulic models can provide efficient and cost-effective ways for water utilities to evaluate changes in operating conditions (e.g., population dynamics, disasters), thereby increasing system resiliency during crises. Unfortunately, model development remains out of reach for many utilities because of high software costs, data needs, or personnel requirements. This study seeks to classify hydraulic modeling data needs, identify success factors and challenges associated with model development, and determine whether modeling a subzone of a larger water distribution network can provide useful insights during a crisis, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. At the pandemic onset, we began developing a hydraulic model of the water distribution system of the University of Texas at Austin campus—a subsystem of the water distribution network of Austin, Texas—to understand how spatiotemporal changes in water demands impacted system performance. We found that the completed model can offer useful insight into the impacts of demand changes within the modeled subsystem (e.g., potential locations of water stagnation). However, the data collection and processing challenges encountered (e.g., siloed collection efforts, lack of standardization, lengthy processing) reflect barriers to model development and use. The amount of time required to gather and process the necessary data shows that model development cannot occur during a time-sensitive crisis, likely rendering any insight too late for use. Here, we make recommendations to address data-related challenges and support utilities in incorporating hydraulic modeling into emergency planning. | |
publisher | ASCE | |
title | Modeling in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Overcoming the Water Sector’s Data Struggles to Realize the Potential of Hydraulic Models | |
type | Journal Paper | |
journal volume | 148 | |
journal issue | 6 | |
journal title | Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management | |
identifier doi | 10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0001561 | |
journal fristpage | 05022003 | |
journal lastpage | 05022003-16 | |
page | 16 | |
tree | Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management:;2022:;Volume ( 148 ):;issue: 006 | |
contenttype | Fulltext |