Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU)

School of Civil Engineering and Architecture (SOCEA)

Department of Water Resources Engineering (WRE)

Name: Yomi Degu Gurmessa

ID Number: PGE/21955/13

Gender: Male

Entry Year: 2020/2021

Department: Water Resources Engineering

Assignment: Water distribution Modeling

Submitted to: Dr. Anidinet.

Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Objectives of the study are listed as below .............................................................................................. 3
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Description of the study area.............................................................................................................. 4
2.2 Data collection process ....................................................................................................................... 4
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................................................ 8
4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................................... 10
4.1 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................................................................... 10
Research Gap .......................................................................................................................................... 11

1|Page
INTRODUCTION
Drinking water serves as an essential element for life’s sustenance and is also a required fundamental
element with which almost all biotic components carry out their different activities of life (Terlumun U.and
Robert E., 2019). potable drinking water and providing of safe sanitation facilities are the basic things for
health life. Water distribution systems are designed to adequately satisfy the water requirements for a
combination of domestic, commercial, industrial, and firefighting purposes.

The development of water distribution system and analysis method from wood pipe to the modern piping
materials, from crude rule of thumb analysis to lengthy long-hand iterative Hardy Cross method to modern
Computer Aided design, water distribution networks are designed and constructed to convey treated water
from the water treatment plant to the end users (Mamush Tekle, 2016). many advances have been made
with regard to the sophisticated application of this technology. Early network models simulated only steady-
state hydraulic behavior. In 1970s, modeling capability was expanded to include extended period simulation
(EPS) models that accommodate time varying demand and operation. Subsequently, in the early 1980s,
investigators began introducing the concept of water quality modeling((EEA), 2014). The distribution
network is responsible for delivering water from the source to its consumers at serviceable pressure and
consists of pipes, pumps, junction (node), valves, fittings, and storage tanks (Elsheikh et al., 2013). Due to
failures of their system components and variation of demand, occasional disruptions may occur over the
service life of the system. Some factors which affect the performance of a distribution system are; incorrect
design, population increase with associated demand, increase service connections than estimated, expansion
of service areas, breakage and failure of distribution network components and increase roughness of pipe
surface as a result of ageing. Even though the problem is global, developing countries like Ethiopia face
greater challenges of adequate drinking water because of their larger population growth rate, poor
infrastructure, lower income levels, poor design and construction technologies and less developed policy
and institutional capacity. Most towns in Ethiopia including the capital city are suffering from shortage of
clear water. Ataye town the capital of Ephrata Gidim wereda is one of the towns facing such problem.
Water source for Ataye town is ground water /four boreholes from which water is delivered to surface
storage tanks using pumping system. The rapid growth of population and expansion of service connection
in the town increases water demand and increasing demand for drinking water exerts extra load on existing
water supply systems. In some areas in the town, the pressures in distribution systems fail at maximum
consumption hours to push water to the point of consumption nodes. On the other hand, there are areas with
high pressure which cause water losses in the distribution system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
hydraulic and utility performance of the water distribution network of Ataye town using Water CAD
software and utility performance indicators, to identify the problems and understand the needs of the system

2|Page
for improvement. In Ataye town, there are villages in the town which are out of the reach of distribution
pipes and some areas with distribution pipes but with no available water in the pipe most of the time. In
some areas in the town, the pressures in distribution systems fail at maximum consumption hours to push
water to the point of consumption nodes. On the other hand, there are areas with high pressure which cause
water losses in the distribution system. These unbalance hydraulic parameters (flow velocity and pressure)
may occur due to design of a water distribution system (WDS) and how it supplies water to users,
topography, age of the schemes, increase of demand or insufficient source and power interruption.
Therefore, the purpose of this research was to study the hydraulic characteristics of the distribution system
and to evaluate performance of Ataye town water utility.

Objectives of the study are listed as below:

➢ To evaluate hydraulic and utility performance of water distribution network of Ataye Town
➢ To model and analyze the existing water distribution network both in extended period simulation
and steady state analysis
➢ To study and evaluate hydraulic parameters in the water distribution system (pressure and
velocity) by comparing model output with water distribution design criteria.
➢ To evaluate the performance of service provider (Utility)
➢ To modify the network and suggest best practices locally be relevant and appropriate mitigations
to sustain the water distribution network problems.

Under the above articulated problem, the researcher was intended to answer the following research
questions.

1. How to model and analyze the existing water distribution network both in extended period and steady
state simulation?

2. What are the existing problems related to hydraulic parameters in distribution system?

3. How is the performance or efficiency of service providers?

4. What are the appropriate mitigation measures to sustain the distribution network problems?

The results of this study help to know the overall performance of the system this will help decision makers
and especially the town water utility in planning of future expansions and to know areas where the problems
and to develop corrective measures also good chance for the researcher to fill knowledge gaps in hydraulic
modeling of distribution system, extended period simulation and data analysis in water cad software. Scope
of Study was evaluating the hydraulic and utility performance of water supply distribution network Using

3|Page
extended period simulation due to resource constraints and time needed, 44mm and above pipe diameter of
distribution network were used for model building and simulation. The optimum pressures and velocities
recommended by Ethiopian ministry of water were used to compare the optimality of nodal pressure and
velocity with respect to topographic circumstances, and the size of the network.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Description of the study area
The study was carried out at Ataye town which is the capital of Ephrata Gidim wereda in north Shoa,
Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. The town lies at latitude between 10° 19ˈ and 10o 22̍ North and Longitude
between 39° 56ˈ and 39° 58ˈ East and an average elevation of 1450m. The town has four administrative
Kebeles. According to the population census of 2007 by central statistical agency (CSA), the population of
the town was 15,813. The population of the town at the end of 2012 E.C. was 31,620 with population
density of 4216 per square km. Out of this 15,763 (49.85%) are males and 15,857 (50.15%) are females.
The mean annual temperature and rainfall are 28.51oc and 76.21mm respectively. Existing water supply
system of Ataye town was constructed in 2014/2015 and designed for 30 years. The source of water is
ground water sources from three well field areas of deep boreholes. Two wells are found in west direction
of the town, one in the south direction and one well located in the south east direction of the town.

2.2 Data collection process

The most important step in any study is data collection, both primary and secondary data collection methods
were used to obtain the required information.

Primary data were collected by field surveying and direct measuring. GPS Garmin 72 was used in locating
the latitude, longitude and elevation of the extended nodes, storage tanks, and wells of the system. Other
primary data were pressure at different selected nodes and tank water level. Pressure from twenty sample
nodes were measured near the corresponding location using pressure gauge to calibrate and validate the
model. Ten datasets were used for calibration and other ten for validation. House- holds around each node
were also another primary data collected by direct count.

In secondary data collection techniques manager of Ataye town water supply and sewerage office
(ATWSS), operators and community representatives were interviewed for general information about water
supply problems in the town, Pump operating and off times were gathered from operators by direct
interview. Some customers were also interviewed to know water usage. Most available data describing the
existing system were collected from different concerned organization. From Ataye Town water supply and
sewerage office (ATWSS) annual reports and design documents, the following data were collected Daily
water production and consumption data, newly extended and connected nodes and pipes data, financial and

4|Page
water tariff data, staff data, and water meter and customers data were collected from ATWSS office. The
borehole history data like depth, static water level, dynamic water level, discharge, pump head and pumping
hours were obtained in the above office. Newly connected and existing pipe materials, junction, pump and
tank data were also collected from this office annual reports. The geometric increase method was used to
project the future population of Ataye town. The geometric increase method is mostly applicable for
growing towns and cities having vast scope of expansion. The following formula was applied for population
projection:

Pn=Po(1+r) n …………………………………………………………….3.1

Where Po= base population, Pn = population at n decades or year, n = decade or year, r = rate (percent
increase). In Ataye town, three modes of services are used, House connection, Yard connection and public
standpipe (public fountain).

Source: Ataye Town Water Utility office report, (2020)

The annual total volume of water consumed for domestic purpose has been converted to average daily per
capita consumption using the total number of populations.

Annual Per capita consumption (l/p/y) = ……………….3.2

5|Page
 Mode of services Per capital demand(l/d)
House connection (HC) 70
Yard connection (YC) 30
Public fountain users (PFU) 25
Base per capita water demand by mode of service

Source: Ministry of Water Resource (MoWR), 2014)

Domestic water demand variation multipliers for extended period simulation were developed based on
ministry of water and local condition. Two peak periods were observed one in the morning and one late in
the afternoon.

For preliminary calculation of the nodal demands, a simple method was applied using the water
consumption rate per linear meter of distribution pipe. Once the total demand alongside of each pipe has
been determined, the pipe is separated between the two corresponding nodes. This method was based on
the assumption of evenly distribution of the service connections or costumers. the houses around each
supply nodes were identified through direct count; The demand of each node is population around the node
time base demand.

The next step is the conversion procedure based on the following assumptions:
– An even distribution of consumers along pipe line, `
– The border between the supply areas of two nodes connected by a pipe is at the half of their distance. The
procedures were: -
1. Areas along a pipe or in a certain loop were identified and count the number of inhabitants in this area
2. Based on number of inhabitants in this area, average demand was computed
3. A unit consumption per meter of the pipe length for each loop was estimated by

….…………………………………………………3.3
Where, Ql is the average demand within loop l (along a pipe), and Lj the length of pipe j forming the loop
and ql is unit per meter flow.
Each pipe supplies consumers within the loop by a flow equal to:
Qj,l =ql *Lj,l …………………………………………………………………….…3.4
4. Finally nodal demands were computed
A node i, connecting two pipes of loop l, will have the average demand:

…………………………………………………………………...3.5

6|Page
Where, Qj,l is flow in one pipe and Qj+l,l is flow in other side pipe.

For this study, distribution layout survey data from auto cad civil 3D was imported in to Bentley Water
CAD v8i using model builder. After the first run, the model was calibrated using Darwin calibrator by
adjusting sensitive parameters related with flow; like pipe roughness coefficient and water demand until it
becomes within the acceptable limit. Therefore, for this study the model data quality was analyzed by
comparing and calibrating the computed pressure data with the actually measured one. Pressure readings
were taken at specific time using pressure gauge from 10 sample points for calibration and 10 samples for
validation. Finally, validation was done manually using the correlation coefficient equation (R2) method
using micro soft Excel sheet and scatter plot. The following formula was used.

………………………………………………………………………….3.6
Where: R2 = coefficient of determination, X and Y are the computed and observed pressure values, and X¯
and Ȳ are mean value of computed and observed pressure, respectively.
The distribution network analysis was conducted using Water CAD software by building distribution
system model. Hazen–William’s equation was used for this research, by simulating this model, hydraulic
parameters like pressure & velocity in the system were computed. The model was analyzed in both steady
state and extended period simulation to compute hydraulic parameters and evaluate hydraulic performance
of the system. The model was analyzed in steady state simulation analysis for the average daily demand,
which is the demand at every node not changing throughout 24 hours of a day (flow rates and hydraulic
grades remain constant over time).
Extended period simulation analyzes pressure and flow velocity change in the system in response to variable
demand and supply, the status of the system at every 24 hours was determined and evaluated.
The main hydraulic parameters in water distribution networks are the pressure and the flow rate, other
relevant design factors are the pipe diameters, velocities, and the hydraulic gradients. The performance of
the distribution system was evaluated by comparing model output hydraulic parameters with design criteria
of distribution network. The value of maximum and minimum adopted pressure may not be the same for
cities (towns) and can be found in local design guidelines. The MoWR water supply design criteria (2006
E.C) recommended the pressure range in distribution system to be 15-60m water head. For this study
velocity standard given by MoWR water supply design criteria (2006 E.C) was used to compare model
output velocity because of it works at country level. Minimum velocity 0.6m/s and maximum velocity of
2m/s was used.

7|Page
To evaluate the utility performance, a set of IWA key performance indicators (KPIs) was used as the basis
for the performance evaluation. the analyzed results were discussed by comparing with benchmark target,
which was obtained from IWA standard & MWIE guide line for GTP II. the selection of KPIs priorities
that have impact on the evaluation of service providers’ financial stability, covering costs of production and
operation, collection efficiency, etc. and which show current administrative practices status (Dr. Shaddad
A., 2011).
After analyzing and identifying the distribution network problems, the model was modified by adjusting
the following parameters.
➢ By Providing pressure reducing valves (PRV) to reduce pressure
➢ By applying alternative pipe connections to nodes
➢ By increase or decrease pipe diameter
➢ And improve pumps operation time

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this section the main results of the study were presented and discussed in detail. Hydraulic performance
of the distribution system was evaluated by comparing model output hydraulic parameters with MWIE
guidelines for GTP II and finally the model was modified. Based on the IWA technical, personnel, financial
and environmental performance indicators, the town water utility’s performance was also evaluated.
Population forecasting was done, based on the population and housing census report of 2007 which was
prepared by Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency Population growth rate for the towns is taken from
Ministry of water, 2006 E.C.
Demand projection by mode of services is done based on the guide line given by ministry of water
(MoWR), 2014) for per capita per day water demand. The total domestic demand was then found by
multiplying the per capita per day demand with population served by each mode of service. Average
water demand of Ataye town in 2025 will be 2575.07 m3/d. The aim of water demand projection is to
check whether the existing source satisfy the current and future demand or not.
Model of distribution network was created using survey data of nodes, pipes, pumps, tanks and
reservoirs. Junctions, reservoirs and tanks are usually represented as nodes. Pipes, pumps and valves
represented as links. Sample nodes and corresponding field test site location coordinates and elevation
for calibration and validation is used, only elevation head differences were considered since the length
between these two points were small. Tank levels during measurement were also recorded. Head losses
between the two points are added to measured pressure at costumer tap to get measured pressure at

8|Page
sample Node. the simulated and the measured pressure values have difference in the relationship of the
two data sets. The model was over estimated at the stated junction.
After calibration, the model was validated using correlation coefficient equation (R2) and scatter plot
of observed vs. simulated pressure by a graph.
Pressure for steady state analysis for the average daily demand, which is the demand at every node
not changing throughout 24 hours of a day. 37 nodes from 166 (25.89%) fell below the minimum
adopted system pressure, 9 junctions or (5.4%) have greater than 60m H2O pressure which is more
than the maximum adopted pressure of 60mwc, 1 junction (WP-1) has negative pressure, 119 nodes
(71.68%) have pressure in the range 15-60mwc which is optimum adopted pressure.
velocity results for steady state analysis 1 pipe with has velocity 1-2m/s, 14 pipes with have velocity
0.6m/s to 1m/s which is around 6.5%. 55 pipes have velocity of 0.25-0.6m/s which is around 25.8%.
The remaining 143 pipes from 213 have velocity less than 0.25m/s which is 67.13%. Since steady state
analysis consider continuous supply and the same demand in 24 hours, no tanks level fluctuation in
this condition which means that no change in hydraulic grade line.
Pressure for extended period simulation 18nodes have negative pressure at maximum demand time.
39 nodes have pressure 1-15mwc at maximum demand time, The remaining 108 nodes (65.06%) have
pressure 15-60mwc which is adopted optimum pressure.
28 nodes or 16.86% operate under the minimum adopted pressure of 1- 15mwc at minimum demand
time. 14nodes (8.43%) have pressure greater than 60mwc during low demand times. These pressures
have adverse effect on the performance of the distribution system. Only 74.71% during minimum
demand time and 65.06% during maximum demand time of the distribution system performs within
the optimum adopted pressure.
The maximum velocity is 1.61m/s at high demand hours and the minimum velocity is 0.0 m/s f Velocity
for Extended Period Simulation. 8 pipes have velocity 1.08 - 2 m/s at high demand hours. 42 pipes
represent velocity 0.55m/s to 1.08m/s. All pipe flows have velocity less than 0.60m/s at low demand
hours in the distribution system.
Based on the results model simulation, the distribution system can be modified reduce observed high
pressure and to increase low pressure and velocity. One mechanism to reduce high pressure is
providing pressure reducing valves (PRV). Alternative connection is another way to increase pressure
and flow velocity. So, by applying the above mechanisms the distribution system can be improved. In
addition to this additional water should be injected in to the system by providing storage tank at
appropriate location.

9|Page
Utility performance was evaluated by technical, financial, personnel, environmental and quality of
service performance indicators, Average daily per capita water consumption is 50 l/c/d for category-4
towns/cities (MWIE, 2015). But average per capital water consumption of Ataye town in 2020 was
23.18 l/c/d which is much lower than 50 l/c/d. Water supply coverage of the town is 83%.
Working ratio is the comparison of water service provider’s expenses with total water utility revenues
in a specific year. If the ratio is greater than 1, expense is higher than the revenue. ratio is less than 1,
the utility is generating surplus in the operation year. The working ratio of the study area was 0.75.
Non-revenue water of the study area was 18.15%. Based on the national Plan for the Water Supply
and Sanitation Sub-sector (2015/16- 2019/20), urban Non-Revenue Water (NRW) was planned to be
decreased from 39% to 20% by 2020 for urban water supply utilities.

4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 CONCLUSIONS
The population and water demand of the town has been projected up to 2030 and projected demand
exceeds the current production capacity of the town (24.8l/ in the year 2023 which shows the
requirement of additional water sources. In some node, there was insufficient pressure to satisfy the
required demand at all times, on the other hand some nodes have pressure >60m which is maximum
adopted pressure and this caused water losses in the system. 23.47% of the system pipes have optimum
adopted velocity (0.6 -2m/s) and the remaining have velocity less than 0.6m/s during high demand
time. From the results, it can be concluded that hydraulically the distribution system has limitation,
Finally the network was modified by providing PRV, resizing pipes diameter and alternative
connection of pipes and junctions to reduce observed problems. The town water utility’s performance
was also evaluated using different performance indicators. The results of computed performance
indicators show that the utility has low technical, personnel and environmental performance.

4.2 RECOMMENDATION
Based on results of this research, to improve hydraulic and utility performance of water distribution
system of the Ataye town, the following recommendations were given. Current safe yield of four
boreholes is 24.8 l/s, but in 2023 the town demand will be 26.63l/s. So, additional Water should be
injected in to the system after 2022.
More of the pipes are found under 0.6m/s flow velocity which can affect the quality of water in the
system. So that, the town water utility office should regularly treat the water, examine and teste water

10 | P a g e
quality in the system. Based on the modified network, some pipes diameter should be reduced to
increase flow velocity in the system. Detail study should be conducted to identify the current actual
water production capacity and the critical cause for water losses and low water quality.

Research Gap
The Nodal calculation interpreted in methodology part is excluded in the result and discussion, there
are also repeated report in the discussion part, in the result and discussion the researcher states that by
reducing the diameter of the pipe the negative nodes are reduced from 18 to 8 and also junctions with
high pressure reduced from 14 to 3 nodes but there is no evidence which quantify diameter reduction
and also at what quantity there is pressure change.

11 | P a g e
REFERENCES
Terlumun U. and Robert E. (2019) ‘Evaluation of Municipal Water Distribution Network Using Water
cad and water gems’, Journal of Engineering and sciences, 5(2), pp. 147–156.
Mamush Tekle (2016) Hydraulic modeling of water supply distribution network. a case study on Debre
Birhan town, Amhara regional state Ethiopia. Master Thesis, Jima University, Ethiopia.
Elsamadony M., Saleh H. and Rashwon C. (2013) ‘Hydraulic modelling of water supply distribution
for improving its quantity and quality’, Sustainable Environment Research, 23(6), pp. 403–411.
Ministry of Water Irrigation and Electricity (MWIE) (2015) Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity Second Growth and Transformation National Plan for
the Water Supply and Sanitation Sub-Sector (2015/16 – 2019/20). Addis Ababa

12 | P a g e