Studying Distriburtion System Hydraulics and Flow Dynamics to Improve Water Utility Operational Decision Making

The objective of this project is to improve water utility operational decision making, including responses to contamination events, by studying distribution system hydraulics and flow dynamics. Primary objectives include: 1. Develop an improved understanding about the impact of flow dynamics on distribution system water quality, and the potential benefits of using real-time network models to improve operational decisions - including detection and response to potential contamination events. 2. Develop an operational guidance toolkit for use by utilities in selecting the appropriate level of operational tools needed to support of their operational needs. Guidance topics will include: Guidance on the selection and placement of hydraulic sensors Guidance on the selection and placement of water quality sensors (extending beyond the security objectives addressed by the existing TEVA/SPOT theory and software). Guidance on the selection of SCADA systems Guidance on the selection of hydraulic and water quality network models Guidance on the calibration of network models Guidance on the conversion to real-time modeling 3. Develop a flow distribution model that will allow small utilities to build a basic graphical schematic of their water distribution system from existing GIS datasets and to evaluate the distribution of flows across the network in response to basic operational decisions.