Analyzing the Effect of Pressure Management on Infrastructure Leakage Index in Distribution Systems based on Field Data

Abstract In this study, the relationship between pressure management (PM) and infrastructure leakage index (ILI) in distribution systems was investigated based on the field data. Before PM, non-revenue water (NRW) rates were calculated as 48.44%, 76.49% and 36.57% and ILI indicators were determined as 16.97, 22.90 and 26.88, in three DMAs. The leakage volume is also calculated by the FAVAD equation and compared the field data. With the implementation of PM, although NRW ratios decreased, the ILI did not improve in the same rate. ILI class was improved in 3 regions, ILI class dropped from A to B in one region. Although the ILI class did not change in the 5 regions, the loss rates decreased. Using the ILI alone in regions where PM is used can create misleading results in performance analysis. It is thought that it would be more accurate to evaluate losses with performance indicators in PM areas.