Hydraulic modelling as a tool for problem analysis and decision support : Case study of the Naguru water supply system in Uganda

• This paper describes a study in which hydraulic modeling was applied as a tool to guide planningand decision-making to address water distribution bottlenecks within an urban water supplysystem in Uganda. In response to chronic supply intermittencies and an ever-increasing outcryfrom affected customers, a number of interventions were proposed - and some implemented -formulated largely based on intuition, rule-of-thumb, and experience of the network operationalstaff. However, in recognition of the constraints of this approach in the face of an increasinglycomplex and ever-expanding network, a more rigorous and scientific approach was applied, inwhich simulation modeling was used to evaluate system performance under the various proposed interventions. Model results indicated that most of the proposed alternatives, including those thathad already been implemented, would yield unsatisfactory performance in the medium to longterm, albeit providing minimal relief in the short term. The study thus demonstrated the importance of application of formal tools such as hydraulic modeling as a replacement for moreintuitive and judgment-based network management approaches, especially given the large,complex and problem-prone water supply systems characteristic of urban utilities in developingcountries.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Vattenteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Water Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hydraulic modeling

Simulation

Water network management

Urban water systems

Water engineering

Vattenteknik

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)