Optimizing District Metered Areas and Associated Pressure Reducing Valves and Pumping Stations for Effective and Efficient Management of Water Distribution Network

Leakage and energy consumption in urban water distribution networks (WDNs) have been receiving increasing attention, and pressure management based on district metered areas (DMAs) can effectively control leakage and save energy. In this paper, a set of scientific and practical methods for designing DMA partition of WDNs and carrying out pressure management based on it is proposed. First, the spectral clustering algorithm and NSGA-III algorithm are combined in a clever and innovative way to establish and solve the DMA boundary optimization division model. Compared with the existing methods, more factors can be considered in the process of boundary partitioning, so as to obtain overall excellent partitioning results. Second, based on the partition results, the optimal arrangement model of valves and flow meters on the DMAs boundary pipes is established and solved. Finally, pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are installed at the inlet of the DMAs, and the joint scheduling optimization model of the PRVs and pump station in WDNs is established and solved. In the process of scheduling, the pump is innovatively limited to the efficient section operation, saving energy and extending the service life of the pump. The proposed method is applied to the SH town network. Results reveal that the method can establish DMAs considering multiple objectives. Furthermore, pressure management in DMAs can not only significantly reduce leakage and energy consumption of pumping stations but also improve the water quality of networks. Therefore, this method can provide a reference for water utilities in establishing DMAs and carrying out pressure management in WDNs in the future.