A conceptual index for benchmarking intermittent water supply in a water distribution system zone
Date
2020-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Water Research Commission
Abstract
Various challenges, such as limited freshwater resources, climate change impacts, rapid population growth,
urbanisation and underinvestment in water supply infrastructure, have led to intermittent water supply
(IWS) in potable water distribution systems. Earlier research has confirmed that IWS negatively impacts
the consumers, the infrastructure and the water supply authorities. Water supply authorities need tools to
help understand IWS and the associated implications. A new indexing framework involving the causes and
impacts associated with IWS is presented in this paper. In addition, a novel approach allows for quantification
of the severity of IWS based on knowledge of a few readily available inputs. The severity quantification is
based on two ratios: the intermittency ratio is a temporal measurement, accounting for supply duration; the
connection ratio describes spatial aspects, using the number of service connections affected. The indexing
framework and quantification tool could lead to improved understanding of IWS and could assist water
supply authorities faced with IWS to make informed decisions. Improved planning of remedial actions to
mitigate or avoid risks associated with IWS is aided. The tools presented in this paper could be used as basis
for future development of a key performance indicator.
Description
CITATION: Loubser, Carlo, Basson, Suzanne Esther & Jacobs, Heinz Erasmus. 2020. A conceptual index for benchmarking intermittent water supply in a water distribution system zone. Water SA, 46(1):12-21, doi:10.17159/wsa/2020.v46.i1.7873.
The original publication is available at: http://www.scielo.org.za
The original publication is available at: http://www.scielo.org.za
Keywords
Water -- Distribution, Drinking water, Water scarcity, Water-supply, Water distribution system
Citation
Loubser, Carlo, Basson, Suzanne Esther & Jacobs, Heinz Erasmus. 2020. A conceptual index for benchmarking intermittent water supply in a water distribution system zone. Water SA, 46(1):12-21, doi:10.17159/wsa/2020.v46.i1.7873