Summary: Negative effect of human factor on the water supply system operation is evident at each level from the system design up to its control. Water supply automation enables to reduce labor cost, eliminate the staff unconscientiousness.

1. Excessive pressure in the network

Having no actual data on water consumption, water supply system is designed under the obsolete regulations and standards. Further, upon the consumers’ complaints on low water pressure the pressure values are uprated, causing increase of energy consumption and risk of pipe breaks and leakages.

2. Inappropriate pumping equipment

While purchasing the equipment the persons in charge are guided by the principle «more is better than less» instead of actual network parameters and water supply modes. Pumping units with high reserve power are purchased, operate in non-optimum modes and stand idle. The pumping standing and lack of water pressure cause their premature wear owing to cavitation.

Consumers are familiar with the cavitation results due to so called «sputtering taps» turned after long water absence. In low-pressure areas steam bubbles appear, causing hydraulic hammer by their further condensation, which damage the working parts surface.

3. Cross-impact of the hydraulic network objects is not taken into account

While planning the first level of water lift the optimum set and operation modes of the wells pumping water into the tank are not taken into account. The 2nd and 3rd water lift pumping station operate without any actual data about the water consumption.

The pumps set providing maximum energy efficiency is difficult to select without special tools, while expert evidence is often not proved in practice. Consequently, when operated concurrently the pump with higher pressure value overdo the one with lower pressure value, causing water hammers, equipment wear and energy losses.

4. Information about the accidents is concealed

Individual features and experience of the staff affect the decisions often taken to the prejudice to their commercial efficiency. A quantity of consumers’ complaints on low water pressure makes the staff uprate the pressure instead of determining the cause of the emergency which a break or hidden leakage may occur.

Reports for the management team are made manually and the system operation data can be falsified deliberately or negligently, while information about the accidents can be concealed.

Water supply automation based on AQUATORIA concept enables to eliminate the staff unconscientiousness and inadvertence, optimize its number and reduce labour costs for the system servicing. AQUATORIA provides a stable operation of the water supply system without permanent staff involvement but under the dispatcher control.