Integrated Model Driven by Agent-Based Water End-Use Forecasting to Evaluate the Performance of Water and Wastewater Pipeline Systems

Abstract

In spite of their hydraulic, temporal, and spatial connections, water and wastewater pipeline systems are traditionally planned and designed in a stationary and separated manner. This practice may have, in the early stages, already rooted future system operational risk. An integrated model was developed to evaluate the performance of these two systems, planned and designed according to the traditional water demand quota approaches adopted in China. The integrated model included an agent-based water end-use model to generate water demand and wastewater discharge, which was used to drive a water distribution system model and a drainage system model, both developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In a case study in Beijing, the proposed model forecasted lower water demand and wastewater discharge, leading to oversized water systems designed by the traditional approach. However, the greater diurnal fluctuations would cause operational problems during the peak hour, as well as off-peak periods, in both pipeline systems. Vulnerable hotspots for urban water services were thus identified and potential mitigation options discussed.