Enhancing the efficiency of blow-offs in municipal water services to reduce non-revenue water

Water distribution systems deliver clean water to urban dwellers. To ensure safe water quality is maintained as it is conveyed through the system and to the user, a maximum retention time must be met. Terminal sections of water distribution networks, also known as dead-ends, are notably problematic because water is stagnant. Many cities have opted to use blow-off valves on these dead-end pipes, to continuously withdraw water and avoid stagnation. However, this continuous withdrawal is wasteful and costly. The City of Greater Sudbury faces the challenge of managing water quality and non-revenue water in more than 300 dead-ends with blow-off valves. The main objective of the proposed project is to develop a framework for managing and modelling blow-offs. Findings will inform future blow-off modelling efforts as well as define strategies for the City to close or substitute blow-offs.

Faculty Supervisor:

Rebecca Dziedzic;Bryan Karney

Student:

Partner:

City of Greater Sudbury

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Concordia University

Program: