Optimization Model for Water Distribution Network Planning in a Realistic Orographic Framework

Defining criteria for correct distribution of water resource is a common engineering problem. Stringent regulations on environmental impacts underline the need for sustainable management and planning of this resource usage, which is sensitive to many parameters. Optimization models are often used to deal with these problems, identifying the optimal configuration of a Water Distribution Network (WDN) in terms of minimizing an appropriate function propotional to he construction cost of the WDN. Generally, this cost function increases as the distance between the source-user connection increases, therefore in minimum cost optimization models is important to identify minimum source-user paths compatible with the orography. In this direction, the methodology presented in the present work proposes a useful approach to find minimum-length paths on surfaces, which moreover respect suitable hydraulic constraints and are therefore representative of reliable gravity water pipelines. The application of the approach is presented in a real case in Calabria.