Author(s)

W. F. Silva-Araya, N. Artiles-León & M. Romero-Ramírez

Abstract

A new methodology to model residential water consumption by using a micro-scale simulation algorithm was developed. The new algorithm combines a fully dynamic unsteady flow model with a statistical regression demand model. Regression equations are obtained from field data to simulate the duration of valve openings and the time between openings at each household. The results showed that there are not significant differences between the mean of the real data and the predicted values with the regression model for both the time between openings and the duration. The model was used to simulate the consumption pattern in a distribution line formed by 10 houses from the neighborhood. The new methodology provides criteria for decisions concerning the rehabilitation, expansion and improvements of the existing water distribution systems. It could also be adapted to simulate scenarios of a network system under emergency conditions or water quality modeling.

Keywords