Investigating the operational performance of the Te Kuiti water supply network
Waitomo, New Zealand
Nov 12, 2008
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A recent investigation into the Te Kuiti water supply network in Waitomo District Council has revealed the importance of monitoring critical locations if the operation of the water supply is to be clearly understood. Major consumers can have a significant effect on operational effectiveness as can the pattern of demand, causing pressure fluctuations which affect other consumers, and can adversely affect the working life of the pipework.
Using InfoWorks WS, the project highlights the benefits of high quality model construction and data collection. The project involved detailed scenario analysis to determine optimal operational regimes and potential locations for future reservoirs. A number of scenarios were investigated to alleviate the impact of the large consumers on the reticulation.
The project demonstrates that once a suitable model is built, it can be used to determine optimal operational regimes. In this instance modelling has shown that removing the abattoir consumption from the Central Zone in Te Kuiti can significantly improve the pressure experienced by the remainder of the consumers. Analysing a number of scenarios has shown that the most cost effective short term solution is to supply the abattoirs with their own dedicated pipe from the WTP.
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Further, siting a new reservoir adjacent to the existing Blackmans Reservoir provides additional storage and allowed the decommissioning of two pump stations. However, these scenarios failed to satisfy the pressure requirements for the Central Zone and Hetet Zone. The solution of placing a new reservoir in the southern part of town, near the abattoirs, to service the Central Zone is likely to be the most beneficial, but it does not remove the pump stations.
Authors: Vicki Koopal and Jeff Booth of Jeff Booth Consulting Ltd, New Zealand.
The complete article may be downloaded below. It first appeared as a paper at the NZWWA’s 50th Anniversary Conference and Expo - Ensuring Water for Our Future, held in Christchurch, September 2008.