Optimization of Water Distribution System with Blending Requirements

In a multi-source, multi-quality water distribution system, local water agencies often find that it is necessary to impose blending requirements to secure the desired water quality in addition to quantity. However, the inclusion of blending requirements gives rise to nonlinearities in the optimization of water distribution because waters from different sources mix in a common distribution facility. In this study, a multicommodity flow formulation is proposed for the optimization of a multi-source, multi-quality water distribution system with blending requirements. Waters from different sources are considered as different commodities, sharing common facility capacities. The proposed methodology is validated by four case studies. The results indicate that the multicommodity flow model can be used as an alternative tool to assist in water allocation of a regional distribution system with blending requirements. How blending requirements are incorporated in the formulation impacts the computational efficiency.