Viability of Pressure-Reducing Valves for Leak Reduction in Water Distribution Systems
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-19-2022
Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Abstract
Since water distribution systems are so important to public health and many are leaking in unknown locations, a modeling study was performed to investigate the feasibility of installing pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in various locations throughout several systems. A PRV was tried in each pipe, one by one, and the total cost (energy costs plus opportunity costs of losing water that could have been sold) was calculated. It was found that installing a PRV in the upstream pipes reduced costs the most and that putting a PRV in some pipes actually lost money due to the high cost of the PRV and associated fittings. Also, a PRV on the upstream portion of a large branch saved water leakage. Energy is saved when a PRV is placed near a pump for systems with high energy consumption.
Publication Title
Water Conservation Science and Engineering
Recommended Citation
Jones, F. T.,
&
Barkdoll, B. D.
(2022).
Viability of Pressure-Reducing Valves for Leak Reduction in Water Distribution Systems.
Water Conservation Science and Engineering,
7, 657-670.
http://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-022-00171-y
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/16827