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    • Network management and drinking water installation Microbiological quality change, deposit formation and cleaning and optimisation of the distribution network operation. Evaluate and analyse corrosion damage.
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    • Micropollutants Determination of micropollutants, transformation products and microplastics reliably and sensitively, investigate behaviour in the water cycle, qualified risk assessment
    • Waste water and water cycle Use of biological decomposition, developing integrated water supply and waste water management concepts
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    • Asset management and infrastructure Development of management strategies and innovative tools to evaluate the condition of the supply network and its components
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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.

Research areas

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.

Projects

Distribution networks
Water reuse and drinking water reservoirs on trial (FLEXITILITY)

The Flexitility research project entered its implementation phase in October 2022. Until 2024, network partners from practice and research will test…

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Microbiology
Increased temperatures in the drinking water distribution network (MibiTemp)

The Project aims on a general understanding of the effects of increased water temperatures on resilience and vulnerability of microbial communities…

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Distribution networks
Optical-acoustic inspection of drinking water distribution systems (OptInspekt)

Within the scope of inspection projects at water supply companies, the project investigates under which conditions an optical and acoustic inspection…

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Distribution networks
Monitoring technology for assessing the condition of shut-off valves (ValveEar)

ValveEar is engaged in the further development of a valve maintenance device for the precise assessment of the tightness of shut-off valves. For this…

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Distribution networks
Increased water temperatures

Increased water temperatures in the drinking water network already pose a challenge for water supply companies. The objective of the research project…

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Distribution networks
Metrology for Real-World Domestic Water Metering (MetroWaMet)

"MetroWaMet" aimed to build a metrological infrastructure that enables an integral characterisation of the performance of domestic water meters under…

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More projects
Publications

TZW Publication Series No. 70: Innovative Entwicklungen aus dem Forschungsradar Wasser [Innovative developments from the research radar water] (MikroSens)

TZW Publication Series No. 79: Hochaufgelöste Verbrauchsmessungen bei Kunden [High-resolution customer consumption measurements] (consumption hydrographs)

TZW Publication Series No. 82: Bewertung der Wirkung von Korrosionsinhibitoren im Verteilungsnetz [Assessment of the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors in the distribution network] (Inhibitor I+II)

 

Volumes from the TZW publication series can be purchased here.

Contact

Water distribution

Dr. Andreas Korth +49 351 85211-54 +49 351 85211-10 Send email

Corrosion

Dr. Johannes Ruppert +49 721 93163-51 +49 721 93163-99 Send email
Solutions
  • Water analysis
  • Testing of products and devices
  • Treatment technologies
  • Micropollutants and microorganisms
  • Network management and drinking water installation
  • Risk management
  • Environmental biotechnology and contaminated sites
Research
  • Resource protection
  • Environmental biotechnology
  • Microorganisms
  • Micropollutants
  • Waste water and water cycle
  • New technologies and products
  • Asset management and infrastructure
  • Safety and security, digitalisation and management
About TZW
  • Profile
  • Organisation
  • Locations
  • Partners
Information
  • News
  • Publications
  • Videos
  • Press

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