Developing water pressure management scenarios to cut down the real

losses in the water distribution system of Kozani, Greece

V. Kanakoudis*, K. Gonelas, M. Patelis

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38334 Volos, Greece

*Corresponding author: E-mail: bkanakoud@uth.gr, Tel +30 24210 74156, Fax: +302421074135

Abstract
High non-revenue water levels (NRW) have been a problem for the water utility of Kozani
(DEYAK) the last few years. To ensure that water will be effectively and efficiently used, DEYAK
developed a NRW management strategy focused on a range of initiatives including replacement of
aged infrastructure and water pressure management. The latter is one of the most cost-effective
ways for water utilities to reduce water leakage, pipes bursts, improve the level of services
provided to its customers and lower its operating expenses. The present paper presents a pilot
pressure management project designed for and partly applied to the water distribution system
(WDS) of Kozani city (in northwestern Greece). The first step was the development of the systems
hydraulic simulation model using the commercial software, Watergems V8i. The next step was to
form 23 District Metered Areas (DMAs) and install Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) to reduce the
WDSs operating pressure, especially during the night hours. The reduction in pressure within
acceptable limits as set by the Greek Law, resulted in reduced needs of System Input Volume, due
to significant reduction of anticipated water losses and authorized consumption, as both these
water uses are pressure dependent. There were many simulations of different scenarios in time
(monthly) and PRVs configuration. In 5 DMAs, the results of installing fixed PRVs, PRVs with
modified 24-houred pattern and, PRVs combined with the application of local pressure boosters,
were first virtually checked though the WDSs model. The virtual scenarios resulted in reducing the
SIV by up to 25.5%. These results persuaded DEYAK to actually apply part of the simulated
project by installing 2 PRVs in 2 pilot areas. The savings in water coming leads to both profits for
the company and an environmental benefit by reducing the abstraction of water from the aquifer.
Keywords: pressure management, water savings, DMAs, pressure reducing valves (PRVs)

1. INTRODUCTION
In the last decades, several local water utilities identified that reduction of excess pressure could
significantly reduce the number of leaks and bursts occurring, and they began to practice and
promote active pressure management. It is now widely known that pressure management in
combination with DMAs implementation is a strong leakage management tool [1;2;3]. A lot of
water utilities have reported WDSs pressure reduction, and, thus, leakage reduction [4;5;6;7].
Water utilities that have recently followed the pressure management policy are now finding that
there are more advantages than reduced leak flow rates and burst repair costs, such as demand and
asset management. On the other hand, there are still local water utilities that have not yet followed
the same path, perhaps because they fear to lose any revenues related to reduced pressure provided
to the customers water meters, or uncertainty of the predicted/expected benefits that might not
justify the necessary investments costs. However, during the last years, the effect of pressure
management on bursts frequencies of mains and service connections has also become more widely
known. In systems with continuous supply, rapid reductions in bursts and repair costs are now
changing the economics of pressure management and the perception that leaks and bursts can only
be managed by repairs or pipe replacement. Utilities that have recently implemented pressure
management projects are now realising that reduced leak flow rates and burst repair costs are not
the only benefits. Pressure management is a brilliant tool not only for leakage control, but also for
Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Protection and Restoration of the Environment
Editors: A. Liakopoulos, A. Kungolos, C. Christodoulatos, A. Koutsopsyros
ISBN 978-960-88490-6-8

248

demand management, water conservation and asset management. The best way to implement a
pressure management project is to cut down the entire network to smaller hydraulically isolated
parts (called DMAs - District Metered Areas) first. This practice makes things easier to manage and
inspect. In the head (entering point) of each DMA a pressure control device is installed to reduce
the Non-Revenue Water (NRW). The optimal separation of the network into DMAs, as well as the
optimal PRV allocation are both required. Both tasks can be achieved by testing scenarios
developed through the networks calibrated and validated simulation model.
The present study includes the formation of 23 DMAs and the installation of two types of PRVs and
pumps in a group of 5 crucial DMAs in Kozani WDS model. The reductions in pressure within
acceptable limits resulted in reduced water System Input Volume (SIV), as the actual water use and
the water losses were both reduced, as both are pressure dependent. This dependence was
simulated through the pressure dependent demand (PDD) function of the WaterGEMS software.
Daily operating scenarios using fixed PRVs, PRVs with modified 24-houred pattern and
combinations of PRV types with the local pumps operation were checked, all resulting in reduced
SIV levels (by as much as 25.54% or 633.339 m3). These water savings lead to profits both for the
company (annual money savings are estimated to 629.153) and for the environment (reduced water
volume coming out of the local aquifer). The latter is too important as the environmental cost of the
specific water resource is very high [8]. These results persuaded the local water utility (DEYAK) to
install the necessary infrastructure (2 PRVs) to actually implement the virtual project in 2 DMAs.
2. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF KOZANIS WDS AND ITS HYDRAULIC MODEL
Kozani city, capital of Kozani County in West Macedonia Region, is located in the northern part of
the Aliakmonas river valley. The city lies 710 metres above sea level, 15 Km northwest of the
artificial lake Polyfytos, 120 km south-west of Thessaloniki, between Pieria, Vermio, Vourinos and
Askio mountains. The population of Kozani municipality exceeds 70,000 people. The consumers
served by DEYAK are almost 50,000 people. Its well-designed WDS is widely spread covering a
huge area (Figure 1), including the entire city and its expansions in more than ten suburbs. The total
daily water volume supplied by the WDS reaches its peak (22,744m3) during July, while dropping
to just 18,584m3 during January. Figure 2 presents the total water volumes (in a 4-months basis)
produced and consumed (measured) in Kozani in 2009 and 2010 [9]. Kozani during winter is being
supplied by Ermakia springs (to the north), while during summer by Vathylakkos boreholes (to the
south). There are three pressure zones formed: a) a limited higher zone at the north (altitude ranging
from +750 to +800); b) a medium zone (altitude ranging from +710 to +750); and c) a low zone at
the south (altitude ranging from +610 to +710), covering 60% of the total water demand (Figure 1).
There are two main water storage tanks and also a tank system supplying only the middle zone.
Figure 1. Kozani city WDS pressure zones &
water tanks

Figure 2. Water extracted and consumed in

Kozani city WDS [9]
m 3(millions)/quarter

2,1
1,9
1,7
1,5

water produced

1,3

water consumed

1,1
0,9
0,7

2009 2009 2009 C 2010 2010 2010 C

Quarters

Kozanis WDS hydraulic model consists of 211.86 Km pipes and water mains, 1,817 nodes and 8
tanks (he three main abovementioned and five other minor tanks supplying the suburbs). DEYAK

249

has already developed a GIS system setting coordinates to all its 28,500 water meters. Given the
spatial information as well as the consumption of each hydrometer, the spatial allocation of the
consumption took place. Water losses were introduced as separate nodal consumptions, following
the allocation of recorded consumption in combination with gravitational spatial coefficients
regarding aged pipelines, developed pressures and materials. Three scenarios following the billing
frequency were initially developed for 2011, which finally became 12 using a monthly step.
3. IMPLEMENTATION
3.1 Forming the DMAs in Kozanis WDS
DMAs formation concept follows certain principles. The networks nodal pressures developed, as
well as the fire flow requirements should be considered at the early stages of the process. These two
basic rules must be met in all possible DMAs alternative formations. As Kozanis WDS is widely
spread, it was divided into 23 DMAs (Figure 3) based on the plan of the network so that none of the
DMA formed to exceed the limit of 2,000 customers water meters.

Figure 3. The 23 DMAs formed

REDUCTIONIN%OFSIV

REDUCTIONINm3/24h
60,00
50,00
40,00
30,00
20,00
10,00
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00

10,00
8,00
6,00
4,00
2,00

4,00

5
6
7
M
8
9
10
11
A
11
K
12
13
14
A
14
K
15
A
15
16 K
17
18
19

K 1
K 2
K 3
4A
4K

K 1
K 2
K 3
4A
4K
5
6
7
M
8
9
10
11
A
11
K
12
13
14
A
14
K
15
A
1
1 6 5K
17
18
19

0,00
2,00
6,00
8,00

Figure 4. Reduction in m /day and in % of SIV during a typical day of August 2011 for each DMA
of Kozanis WDS
The main elements taken into account designing the WDSs DMAs were the nodal pressure
variation, fire flow requirements, water mains length, population density, various specificities of the
terrain (e.g. roads, parks), and the least possible number of isolation valves necessary to be installed
in order the DMAs formation to be actually implemented. The hydraulic efficiency of the proposed
DMAs, was also considered, so that closing the isolation valves (valves installed at DMAs limits
ensure its hydraulic isolation) does not cause problems at the DMAs critical nodes (i.e. having the
lowest operating pressure). DMAs formation, followed by a re-establishment of the water flow
inside the WDS pipes, resulted in a reduction or an increase of the total water volume entering a
250

DMA, ranging from -7.3% (DMA 7K) to +6,76% (DMA 8) (Figure 4). Regarding the total network,
a 2.22 % reduction (144,594m3/year) of the SIV took place.
3.2 DMAs groups
Kozanis WDS is not a radial one and there are mains crossing the city from edge to edge. As
several DMAs were formed in series (based on the criteria mentioned above), they are being
supplied by the same water main. When the PRVs were activated in the central DMAs, other
downstream DMAs, supplied by the same water main, were affected. Based on this criterion, four
groups of DMA were defined. The first one consists of the DMAs M, 5, 4A, 4K and K-1, where the
sequential order follows the flow of the water. The second group consists of the DMAs 13, K-3, K2. The third one consists of the DMAs 14K, 10, 11A and 11K DMAs, while the forth one of the
DMAs 12, 7 and 6. There is also a fifth group of DMAs including those not placed in the previous
four groups (Figure 5).

Figure 5. The groups of the DMAs formed

3.3 Installed devices combination
The pressure management in the models network was achieved installing virtual PRVs. There
are three types of PRVs commercially available, the fixed outlet PRV, the multi-point control
modulated PRV and the flow modulating PRV. At the present simulation study the first type was
used, which, regardless of the upstream water pressure, regulates the downstream pressure to a
predetermined constant value. The multi point control modulated PRV was also used, which
constitutes a more sophisticated form of fixed PRV, as it contains internal timer. Thus, enables the
user to configure the temporal variation of the valve opening based on demand profile data. The
third type, flow modulating PRV, was not used as it was not possible to be directly simulated using
the specific software. The main objective of any scenario checked was to reduce (by virtually
installing PRVs and pumps) the average operating pressure in each DMA, keeping it though over
the minimum accepted level (threshold) at the critical system nodes (where the operating pressure is
the lowest one during day time). This pressure threshold is 2 atmospheres (or about 200kPa). The
following three groups of scenarios were checked. The present study deals with the first group of
DMAs, which is the one with the highest consumption but also the most complex in terms of PRVs
interactions. The following four sets of scenarios were checked utilizing the networks model.

1st set of scenarios: Only fixed PRV were installed when checking this set of scenarios.
Utilizing the networks model for each scenario, tests were performed until the nodal pressures
downstream of the PRV were such so that the corresponding pressure at the critical system
node (critical point) in any DMA to approximate 2 atm, remaining over this value. Pressure
approached the threshold as expected only two times in 24 hours.
251

2nd set of scenarios: Only 24h modulated PRVs were installed when checking this set of
scenarios, giving the possibility to change the downstream pressure throughout the day based
on each case pattern. The PRVs initial pressures were similar to those of the 1st set scenario,
apart from very few exceptions, while with the valve patterns introduced a relative stability of
the diurnal nodal pressures was achieved, with the critical point showing steady pressure of 2
atm during the day.
3rd set of scenarios: This set of scenarios refers to the combined use of modulated 24h PRVs
with local pumps. The reduction of the PRVs initial pressure below the value found in the first
set of scenarios caused the average pressure for all nodes of each DMA to drop further.
Unsurprisingly the pressure at the critical points (and probably at other neighbouring nodes)
dropped further. Those values were below the threshold imposed by the regulation. To restore
the pressure at acceptable levels in any node required local pumps were also virtually installed.

3.4 Separation of consumption in PDD and VDD

Unlike the conventional approach of demand-driven analysis, demand is a function of pressure, socalled pressure dependent demand (PDD), however, it is believed that a junction demand is not
affected by pressure if the pressure is above a threshold [10]. It is necessary to highlight that, in the
existing software, is not feasible to use two separate PDD functions with different consumption
rates for simultaneous application at the same network. Thus, there is a need to extract an overall
percentage. The PDD rate of the total WDSs consumption will result from the average of the rates
of PDD percent of water uses and of water loss as shown in equation (1). The spatial variation of
the PDD rate at the models nodes will be defined by the formation of DMAs and the export of
different water loss rate and hence different PDD rate.

PDD( SQ) = [PDD(QWU ) QWU + PDD(QWL) QWL] / SQ

(1)

As mentioned above, the separation of demand is useful for more accurate simulation and exporting
results more consistent with reality. VDD is considered to be consumptions which depend on the
required volume of water and are independent of pressure, such as dishwashers and washing
machines. In contrary, PDD is considered to be consumptions which depend on pressure, such us
the use of shower and leaks due to breaks. Figure 6 presents the main components of the residential
water use in Greece. They are pretty similar to the findings of the international literature [11]. In
Kozani case the daily residential water use was divided into three types: personal hygiene (i.e.
shower, washing hands), toilets and other uses representing 36%, 27% and 37% of the total
consumption respectively. Then, for each of these sub-uses the PDD and/or VDD parts were
identified (Table 1), resulting to the respective portions regarding the total residential water
including both the authorized and the unauthorised use. Regarding the water losses nature (35% of
the SIV), studying their components, it was assumed that the majority is classified as almost fully
pressure dependent. Finally, the PDD rate of total consumption resulted to be 70.5%.
Table 1. Classification of water use in PDD and
VDD

Figure 6. Residential water use typical

allocation in Greece [12]

Residential water uses in

Kozani
Personal hygiene (bath,
shower)
Toilet
Clothes washer, dishwasher
Potable water
Garden, car washing, other
uses

(%)

Classification

36,0%

PDD

27,0%
18,0%
4,0%

VDD
PDD/VDD
VDD

15,0%

PDD
252

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Scenarios results

Pressure management through forming the DMAs and installing the necessary PRVs, led to
significant findings and results. The network was resolved for the 12 months of year 2011. The total
system input volume (SIV) was significantly decreased both in terms of the revenue water (actual
water consumption) and of the non-revenue water (water losses). To better evaluate the results of
the three set of scenarios checked, a reference should be made to the impact the upstream PRVs had
to the downstream DMAs. Therefore, in the first group consisting of 5 DMAs, after the successful
activation of the 4 PRVs needed, successive reductions both on the average operating pressure
(Figure 7) and the SIV (Table 2) in the downstream DMAs were observed. Regarding the third
scenario, it was not possible to further reduce the pressure below the regulations limits (installing
pumps where necessary to restore the lost hydraulic head), as the downstream DMAs pressure was
already excessively reduced. Eventually, out of the 5 available DMAs, the pumps were applied only
to the last 2 downstream areas, 4K (2 pumps) and K-1 (3 pumps). Figure 8 displays the SIV
reduction rate for the 5 DMAs for all the three alternative scenarios checked regarding the devices
installed (fixed PRVs, 24h modulated PRVs and fixed PRVs plus pumps) during the 12 months of
the year 2011. More specifically, the SIV reduction ranged from 24.29 to 25.03 % when the first
scenario was applied, from 24.57 to 25.31 % when the second scenario was applied and from 25.20
to 25.96 % when the third scenario was applied.
Table 2. Daily water consumption (in m3) in
each DMA (August 2008) for all scenarios
considered

750
700

Average Pressure (Kpa)

650
600

ACTIONS

550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200

DMA M

DMA 5

DMA 4A

DMA 4K

DMA K-1

Figure 7. The average pressure of the 5 DMAs

(August 2011) for all actions considered

Initial
Status
DMAs
formation
PRV in
DMA M
PRV in
DMA 5
PRV in
DMA 4K
PRV in
DMA K1

DMAs
4A

4K

K-1 Total

1,145

1,804 1,233 1,137 1,652 6,971

1,137

1,788 1,218 1,115 1,625 6,883

913

1,489

969

918 1,390 5,679

913

1,241

969

918 1,390 5,431

913

1,241

969

829 1,282 5,234

913

1,241

969

829 1,243 5,195

26,00
25,75
% SIV REDUCTION

25,50
25,25
25,00
24,75
24,50
24,25
24,00

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OKT NOV DEC

1st SCENARIO

2nd SCENARIO

3rd SCENARIO

MONTHS

Figure 8. The SIV reduction rate of the 5 DMAs in 2011 for the 3 scenarios considered.
253

4.2 Selection of best scenarios

The selection of the appropriate equipment to install depends on the choice of the most efficient and
cost-effective scenarios. A proper cost-benefit analysis has to include incoming water savings and
the beneficial impact of the pressure drop in the systems equipment, while the costs have to include
the investment costs required to buy and install the necessary equipment (fixed PRVs, 24h
modulated PRVs, pumps) and the additional energy cost. To select the best scenarios, the estimation
of the annual profit was required, to have an overall perspective on each scenarios efficiency
(Table 3, Figure 9). More specifically, the full water cost (including direct, environmental and
resource cost) was taken to be 1 /m3 which is clearly more expensive than the current cost, but
reflects the approximate full water cost [1]. The unit cost of the energy used for the pumps
operation (based on DEYAK records) is 0.1036 /kWh. PRVs installation costs were based on the
nominal diameter of the pipe they are applied to. A fixed PRVs cost ranges from 1,463 to 3,750
for diameters from 90 to 200mm, and a 24h modulated PRVs cost ranges from 5,640 to 11,250
respectively. The cost of pumps is 500 for small and medium diameter pipes and 1,000 for water
mains. Those prices are indicative market prices, depending on the type, special characteristics and
brand of the equipment. All devices life cycle is taken to be 10 years (according to the national
Law may range from 10 to 14 years), during the estimation of their annual depreciation costs.
Table 3. The annual profit () resulting from the application scenarios.

DMA M
DMA 4A
DMA 4K
DMA 5
DMA K-1
TOTAL
GROUP

Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()
Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()
Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()
Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()
Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()
Annual Benefit ()
Annual Cost ()
Annual Profit ()

PRV
(fixed)
85,276
1,000
84,276
89,092
600
88,492
110,137
375
109,762
187,466
600
186,866
137,374
240
137,134
609,345
2,815
606,530

PRV
(24h)
85,478
2,900
82,578
89,310
1,825
87,485
111,348
1,125
110,223
187,701
1,825
185,876
141,652
950
140,702
615,489
8,625
606,864

PRV
(fixed)+pumps
88,837
1,000
87,837
92,597
600
91,997
114,287
786
113,501
191,831
600
191,231
145,787
1,200
144,587
633,339
4,186
629,153

ANNUAL PROFIT (euros)

700.000
600.000
DMA M

500.000

DMA 4A

400.000

DMA 4K

300.000

DMA 5

200.000

TOTAL GROUP

DMA K-1

100.000
0
PRV (fixed)

PRV (24h)

PRV
(fixed)+pumps

Figure 9. The annual profit () resulting from the application scenarios

254

5. CONCLUSIONS

Kozanis water distribution system model was resolved for 204 different scenarios, searching for
the proper pressure management and the corresponding water consumption reduction. There were
15 (5 DMAs x 3 equipment application scenarios) different scenarios for each month, apart from the
initial status and the status of formatted DMAs scenarios. The reduction achieved in water
consumption ranged from 25.39% for scenarios with fixed PRVs installed, up to 26.38 % for fixed
PRVs and pumps installed. Considering the cost-benefit analysis, the analysis proved that
installation of fixed PRVs results in higher profit than the 24h modulated ones. This is because
fixed PRVs results in sufficiently pressures variation, so the 24h modulated PRVs can not justify
their higher market price. Therefore it is better to use fixed PRVs, which if combined with pumps
produce even higher profits for the water utility. The annual profits from the first two scenarios are
almost the same but the higher profit is generated by the third scenario and is equal to 629.153 .
Pressure management has been recognized as the most efficient and favourable effect on both actual
losses and real consumption. It is an effective strategy for recovering a large proportion of non revenue water. The key benefits of pressure management are not confined only to the reduction of
water losses. Lower pressures in the system reduce also burst frequencies of mains and service
connections, reduce the wear of the pipes resulting in longer lifetimes and in general increase the
economic lifetime of entire system. Finally it is the tool for demand management, water
conservation and asset management. DEYAK has already bought and installed 2 PRVs in 2 pilot
areas. The outcome is expected to verify the results of the present study. This will persuade
DEYAK implement the entire project in all its WDS.
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