Optimisation of water networks using linear programming

In this study, optimal design of municipal water distribution networks is determined by the mixed-integer real linear programming technique. The method is capable of rapidly obtaining the discrete characteristics of commercially available pipe sizes, pumps and reservoir heights. The hydraulic and optimisation analyses are linked through an iterative procedure which enables a water distribution system to be designed that satisfies all required constraints with a minimum total cost. The constraints include pipe sizes, which are limited to the commercially available sizes, reservoir heights, available pumps, pipe flow velocities and nodal pressures. Unlike integer linear programming, the developed model has the advantages of having short nodal pressure constraint equations and the ability of optimising networks that contain pumps. The proposed model has also been applied to a network solved by others. Comparison of the results indicates that the results of the proposed method are satisfactory.