Real-Time Control of Pressure for Leakage Reduction in Water Distribution Network: Field Experiments

Studies have shown that real-time control (RTC) of pressure in water distribution networks (WDNs) can be very effective for leakage reduction. The aim of RTC is to regulate the pressure level over the WDN by guaranteeing a pressure that is nearly constant and as low as possible at the critical node. To this end, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) at the network inlet can be remotely controlled to ensure the optimal service level, regardless of upstream pressure and inflow. Field experiments in a district of Benevento, Italy are carried out to assess the suitability of the proposed approach. Results show that the system guarantees the required pressure at the critical node at all times. The controller is effective in optimizing pressure levels over the entire WDN by also reducing excessive pressure in the other nodes. Experiments show that the pressure control is effective in reducing leakage, as confirmed by the minimum night flow (MNF) measurements.