A Study of Real-Time System of Water Distribution Networks: Case study of Hat Yai Waterwork Plant, Songkhla Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to optimize water distribution in a water supply network. One of the most important objectives for every waterwork plants is to minimize water loss in supplying system. The water supply network in Thailand is underground work and most of them have used for many years. Leakages are normally met especially when high pressure are required from demand side. This research will classify 13,580 households living around Hat Yai waterwork plant of Provincial Waterworks Authority in Hat Yai branch in Songkhla province as a demand side and put 5 water sources of Hat Yai district as a supplied side. EPANET program is used to simulate water distribution networks and SCADA application is selected to design controlling system. The result shows that water supply at the Hat Yai waterwork plant should be at least 48 meters to upper Hat Yai zone, however, booster pump may help reducing original water head to 40 meters into high-level areas. Hat Yai waterwork plant decreases energy consumption from pumping processes and also reduce water loss in water distribution system.