Asset management and infrastructure

Assuring drinking water quality is a decisive requirement on water distribution. Research is therefore focused on developing management strategies that ensure the stable provision of high-quality drinking water. Current work is concentrated on processes of qualitative change and measures derived from this to ensure flawless drinking water quality. This includes online sensor technology as a key tool that can be used for monitoring and regulation.

The most valuable asset of water supply companies is their distribution networks. Regular maintenance, decontamination and renovation is required to maintain these, and risk-based and preventative decontamination and replacement is a preferred strategy. The aim of research in this area is to develop methods to evaluate the condition of the supply network and its components during operation.

Model-based pipeline operation

The objective of the field of model-based pipeline operation is to ensure water quality at the point of distribution under variable boundary conditions. The use of calculation and simulation models will gain increasing importance. Projects aim to further develop TZW-developed process descriptions, tools and management strategies such that they can be linked to or used with the existing IT structure of the supply companies.

Risk-based maintenance strategies

The principles for developing risk-based maintenance strategies are to assess the condition of the supply network, to evaluate the possible extent of damage both in the case of supply failure and related to destruction caused by a burst water pipe.

Development of future-proof networks

With the aim of reducing the time and effort involved in operating the supply networks in future, it makes sense to develop concepts for future network design and ways to implement this into existing systems in stages. This concerns the network structures as well as the hydraulic installation and use of materials. Target networks should be considered in connection with regional supply structures.

Corrosion, materials and test methods

Material testing is a key requirement for the use of materials in water distribution that have no negative affect on water quality. Auxiliary materials that have been given little attention to date, should also be considered. Material testing is also a decisive part of assessing the condition of water distribution systems as a requirement for developing and implementing risk-based rehabilitation and asset-management strategies.

Drinking water installations

Ensuring water quality in drinking water installations is determined by the use of suitable materials but also by the operation of the installation. These should be designed in such a way that also ensures microbiological quality in the drinking water installation. Ongoing research projects on this topic should clarify the conditions to be met.

Online data – evaluation

In addition to the further development or redevelopment of sensors that permit new parameters to be recorded, work is also concentrated on data evaluation. Key priorities include the automatic detection of false sensor indications, quality changes and the development of data-driven models for process control.