Optimizing the manufacturing of drinking water infrastructure with hydraulic models: The example of Sultanbeyli̇

When considering finite water resources and rapid population growth, water consumption also increases rapidly. Therefore, the importance of conserving and efficiently using existing water resources becomes evident. Water authorities, responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of drinking water networks, can play a crucial role in preventing future water problems by ensuring the efficient use of water resources. These authorities focus on providing high-quality water while minimizing expenses for subscribers and maintaining a reliable and uninterrupted water supply system. The objective of the drinking water distribution system is to convey the desired quantity, quality, and pressure of water from the source to the targeted points. Hydraulic modeling is an evolving tool used by water system designers, operators, and managers to achieve secure and reliable water supply at a low cost. Hydraulic models are employed to verify system capacity, analyze pipe pressures and flows, establish District Metered Areas (DMA) by defining zone boundaries, determine pressure management zones, conduct specialized applications, and analyze system security and emergency preparedness. In this thesis, the water distribution network of Sultanbeyli district is modeled using WaterGEMS software. Four scenarios (Scenario 1, Scenario 2, Scenario 3, and Scenario 4) were examined to improve the operation and achieve better results by modeling the drinking water network lines. As a result, in Scenario 1, by installing a pressure relief valve (PRV) in a closed area with 8-bar pressure using hydraulic modeling, less water inflow was provided, and the pressure was reduced by 2 bars, resulting in a healthier operation of the system. In Scenario 2, by creating a DMA in the area with 11-bar pressure and installing and operating PRV 2, the PRV-equipped system operated with 3 bars lower pressure. Scenario 3 and Scenario 4 were prepared for optimizing the pressures in the distribution network for the years 2025 and 2030. It was observed that the pressures decreased in the upcoming years, achieving the desired condition