Multi objective approach for leakage reduction in water distribution systems

This paper faces the problem of reducing leakages in water distribution systems (WDS) through dynamic heads control with pressure reduction valves (PRV). To achieve this aim a multi-objective optimization approach is followed for the location of control valves and for their setting during different working conditions. In particular, the objectives to be achieved are: 1) to minimize the leakages over all of the network, 2) to minimize the investment costs for the control devices. The objectives must be satisfied considering the variability of the nodal water demand. For a more realistic simulation of the WDS performance the implementation of a fully pressure-dependent leakage specification is required. The multi-objective optimization problem is tackled using a MOGA (Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm) with a Pareto based approach. The hydraulic modelling of the network is performed with the software EPANET2.