Decision Support Systems for Water Supply Systems

Operating water supply systems is complex. Engineers must ensure that consumers are reliably supplied with a sufficient quantity and quality of water, as well as a sufficient water pressure at all times – all while maintaining reasonable prices. This book summarizes the results of the German BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) funded joint research project, EWave (Project ID: 02WER1323F), that was initiated to develop an innovative Decision Support System (DSS) for water supply companies. For decision making and operational support, the EWave system uses newly developed integrated optimization modules. As a result, the user receives operating schedules on a 15 minute scale. To achieve this, mixed-integer linear and nonlinear mathematical optimization methods are combined. First, a mixed-integer optimization model is solved in order to derive all discrete decisions (primarily pump schedules). The aim is to approximate the physics by piecewise linear relaxations sufficiently to optimize decisions. EWave then uses nonlinear optimization and simulation methods to verify the physics. The process is iterated as necessary. This approach enables globally optimal solutions within an a priori given quality tolerance.

Optimization results obtained in real time yield a potential of energy savings of up to 4–6% daily for the waterworks in the pilot area.

This book was written for automation experts in water supply companies as well as mathematicians who work for infrastructure companies.