Pressure Management

Pressure management in water networks refers to the practice of controlling and regulating the pressure of water within a distribution system. Water networks consist of a complex grid of pipes, pumps, valves, fittings and other infrastructure that transports water from treatment plants or other resources to consumers such as households, businesses, and public facilities.

Maintaining correct pressure levels within a water network is crucial for several reasons:

• Conservation of Water: Excessive pressure can lead to leakages, bursts, and waste of water. By managing and reducing pressure to an optimal level, the likelihood of leaks and pipe bursts is minimized, helping to conserve water resources.
• Reduced Water Loss: High pressure can lead to leakages and pipe bursts, resulting in significant water loss. Pressure management strategies help mitigate these issues, reducing non-revenue water and improving the efficiency of the distribution network. Reducing the system pressure by 20% reduces existing leakage flow rate between 11% and 28% depending on network characteristics.¹
• Extended Infrastructure Lifespan: Systems with excessive pressure place additional stress on pipes, valves, and other components of the water network. Over time, this can lead to premature wear and tear, necessitating frequent repairs and replacements. By maintaining a correct pressure, the overall lifespan of the infrastructure can be extended. 75% reduction in pipe bursts can be achieved by decreasing excess pressure by 25%.¹
• Energy Efficiency: Pumping water to higher pressures requires more energy. By managing pressure levels and minimizing the need for excessive pumping, energy consumption can be reduced, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits.
• Enhanced System Reliability: Fluctuations in pressure can lead to disruptions in the water supply, causing inconvenience to consumers. Pressure management helps maintaining a consistent and reliable water supply to consumers.
• Regulation of Water Quality: Pressure management can influence the water quality by preventing the intrusion of contaminants from the surrounding environment. Adequate pressure helps keep contaminants out of the distribution system, ensuring safe and clean drinking water.

¹European Commission. (2019). Good Practices on Leakage Management - Main Report.

There are multiple methods help regulate pressure, prevent leaks, and ensure reliable water distribution. Here are some common approaches:

1. Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs): PRVs reduce pressure in specific network sections. By controlling pressure, they prevent pipe bursts and excessive wear.
2. Pressure Sustaining Valves (PSVs): PSVs maintain minimum pressure levels in certain areas. They ensure water reaches higher elevations or distant locations without compromising quality.
3. Flow Control Valves: These regulate flow rates, and thus affect pressure indirectly. Adjusting the flow helps manage pressure variations.
4. Zoning and District Metered Areas (DMAs): Water networks are divided into zones or DMAs. Each zone has its pressure management system, allowing targeted adjustments based on demand and network conditions.
5. Leak Detection Systems: These monitor pressure changes and flow patterns. Alerts trigger when leaks occur, enabling swift repairs.
6. Hydraulic Modeling: Engineers use computer models to simulate network behavior. Analyzing scenarios helps optimize pressure management strategies.

Implementing a combination of these techniques ensures efficient and reliable water distribution. These devices are strategically placed within the water network to regulate and control pressure at various points, addressing crucial challenges such as non-revenue water or water scarcity.

Non-revenue water (NRW) refers to water lost before it reaches paying customers due to leaks, theft, or inaccurate metering. NRW has significant implications for financial sustainability and water resource management. The relationship between NRW and pressure management involves several critical aspects: High pressure within water distribution systems can lead to leaks, bursts, and pipe failures. Excessive pressure stresses pipes, joints, and fittings, increasing the likelihood of leaks. Effective pressure management is crucial for reducing leakages. By maintaining lower pressure levels, utilities minimize stress on the system and prevent unnecessary losses. Water networks are often divided into smaller units called DMAs (District Metered Areas) or pressure zones. Targeted pressure adjustments within these DMAs help prevent overflows, leaks, and optimize water distribution. Ongoing monitoring and comprehensive pressure management throughout the distribution system are essential for efficient water supply.

Pressure management in water utilities has significant environmental implications. By optimizing pressure, utilities reduce water leakage from distribution networks, resulting in water conservation. Additionally, efficient pressure management lowers energy consumption in water supply systems, which is crucial given that the water industry accounts for 2–3% of global energy usage. Fewer leakages also translates to fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, proper pressure management minimizes wear on pipes, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for replacements. In summary, pressure management benefits both the environment and the utility infrastructure.

Pressure management offers several benefits to utilities and their customers:

• Consistent Water Supply: Proper pressure control ensures a steady and reliable water supply. Citizens can count on consistent water availability for daily needs, whether it’s drinking, cooking, or hygiene.
• Reduced Water Bills: By minimizing leaks and optimizing pressure, utilities can lower operational costs. These savings can translate into more affordable water bills for consumers.
• Environmental Impact: Pressure management reduces water loss, which is essential for environmental conservation. It also contributes to energy savings and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
• Infrastructure Resilience: Well-maintained pressure systems extend the lifespan of pipes and reduce the risk of bursts. This benefits citizens by avoiding disruptions due to repairs or replacements.
• Safety and Health: Proper pressure prevents excessive force in pipes, reducing the risk of accidents or bursts. It also ensures adequate fire hydrant pressure for emergency response.

In summary, pressure management directly impacts citizens’ daily lives by providing reliable water, cost savings, and environmental stewardship.

The future of pressure management in water distribution systems holds promising developments. We keep on investigating the latest developments and opportunities in enhancing pressure management systems. This includes, among others, smart water networks (integration of sensors, data analytics, real-time monitoring), and machine learning algorithms (prediction of leakages and demand patterns).

Are you eager to learn more about the future of smart digital solutions to solve water loss? Check out Episode 5 of our webcast series, where top-class experts from the water/development sector share the current status of smart technology enablers in water networks, possible shifts in the next years and digitalization opportunities for the water sector in the future.

Watch episode 5 here