2006/04/01 by Thomas M. Walski, Thomas Walski, William Bezts +4
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Engineering · #Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures #Irrigation Practices and Water Management #Water Systems and Optimization
paper · doi:10.1002/j.1551-8833.2006.tb07642.x
crossref issued 2006/04/01 · crossref published 2006/04/01 · crossref published-online 2006/04/01 · crossref published-print 2006/04/01 · openalex publication_date 2006/04/01 · crossref created 2018/02/23 · crossref deposited 2023/09/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Pressure control can be an effective way to reduce leakage in water distribution systems. In this article, the authors present results from an experimental study conducted to determine an appropriate equation to define the flow from leaks. The orifice flow equation is most appropriate in situations in which the dimensionless orifice/soil number—an indicator of head loss caused by orifice losses versus porous media (soil) losses—is large, as it is in most water distribution systems. This finding indicates that flow emitters are an appropriate method to model leaks. The authors also describe the application of computer modeling in a real‐world distribution system and demonstrate how a model can be used to evaluate pressure settings and estimate leak reduction and possible pressure problems. Pressure reduction is most effective when both leakage and pressure are relatively high, flow is controlled by a pressure‐reducing valve or variable‐speed pump, and the terrain is relatively flat. However, as discussed in this article, time‐of‐day control may be needed for pressure control to work.