Optimal Control Pressure for Leakage Minimization in Water Distribution Systems Using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

One of the key factors affecting leakage in water distribution systems is network pressure management by putting Pressure Reduce Valves (PRV) in the flow path and optimal regulation of these vales in water networks. This study aimed at investigating optimal pressure management problems so as to minimize leakage in water distribution networks. To do so, an approach was proposed for both optimal positioning and setting of pressure reduction valves (PRVs), where location optimization and optimal operation issue of valves was considered. In the present research, in order to resolve these problems, an optimization model—a simulation based on a Meta heuristic algorithms called as Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA)—was utilized. In this model, ICA optimization in MATLAB environment was integrated with hydraulic simulation of EPANET model. The results revealed that in case all the limitations of the problem are observed, employing this method to determine the position of the pressure reduction valves and regulate them lowered the mean leakage rate of the network by 12% in three phases of maximum, average and minimum aquatic need periods. This means that the proposed method was effective in regulating the pressure level to minimize leakage in networks.