A novel methodology for pipe grouping and rehabilitation interventions scheduling in water distribution networks

The establishment of effective medium and long-term rehabilitation strategies is essential to counter the continuous process of deterioration of the water distribution networks. A novel methodology to support pipe rehabilitation planning, including the establishment and scheduling of interventions in the medium and long-term using the graph theory, is developed, and demonstrated using a real case study. This methodology is divided into two main phases: the first is the definition of rehabilitation pipe groups according to the available budget and pipes connectivity and the second is the scheduling of these groups over time according to relevant criteria. This approach allows a clearer correspondence between the financial amounts to be annually invested in rehabilitation and a grouping of single pipes to be rehabilitated. Results demonstrate that the methodology allows a better and advanced planning of interventions when compared with the current traditional approaches applied by water utilities.