Characteristics and control of intermittent flow in water distribution systems due to restricted supply

The water distribution system should be invariably operated on continuous pattern for 24 hours a day. Occasionally, it is not practically possible to operate for 24 hours due to water shortage or financial constraints. Therefore an intermittent water supply is unavoidable in water shortage area and developing countries. But the intermittent water supply can introduce large pressure forces and rapid fluid accelerations into a water supply network. These disturbances may result in new pipe failure, leakage and secondary contamination. This paper proposed an improvement methodology to prevent the disturbances by intermittent water supply. For the study, the hydraulic variation of intermittent flow in water distribution system was measured and analyzed in the field by comparing with simulation of hydraulic model. Installations of control valves such as, pressure reducing and sustaining and air valves were employed for pressure and flow control. The effectiveness of the methods are presented by comparing hydraulic conditions before and after introducing the proposed solutions.