Critical Parameters for the Reliability of Municipal Storage Tanks

A stochastic analysis method for sizing municipal storage tanks based on reliability criteria is discussed. A sensitivity analysis was done to determine the parameters most critical for sizing tanks (and thus for tank reliability). The results show that daily variations in water demand to be the most critical parameter, followed by hourly variations in demand, the supply ratio, and then pipe failures. Further work is required on fire water before conclusions on its impact can be made.