ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON A WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Population growth and intense urbanization tend to alter water supply systems. Given the expansion of networks, hydraulic simulations become a support tool for analysis of distribution systems, as they allow the execution, in an agile way, of static and dynamic simulations. The objective of this work was to verify changes in an existing water supply system in the city of Santana da Ponte Pensa (SP) generated due to possible expansions of the urbanized area. The simulations of the water supply network were carried out with the EPANET software, according to the User Manual and analysis of the limit conditions provided for by the NBR 12215-1 (ABNT, 2017) and NBR 12218 (ABNT, 2017) standards, observing the critical points of the project, thus obtaining the largest and lower values ​​of pressure, flow and pressure drop available in the network. The results indicated that the existing area complies with the pressure, flow and pressure drop criteria established by the standards. Two possible plans to increase the urbanized area were also simulated, one along the treated water pipeline and the other at the end of it, increasing the existing network mesh, both confirmed the pressure reductions and increase in unit load losses, but without meet the criteria established by the standards. Therefore, the existing system is performing the necessary parameters for proper functioning, but constant maintenance is still required so that problems do not occur. Furthermore, in the case of future expansions, it is essential to carry out an intelligent analysis of the supply system's shapes and models.