Absorptive Resilience Phase Assessment Based on Criticality Performance Indicators for Water Distribution Networks

Water distributions networks (WDNs) are exposed to multiple hazards, leading the network to operate under a range of critical conditions. This paper explored the relationship between the impact of anomalous events (AEs) of WDNs and the consequent palliative actions (PAs) to be implemented in the network to minimize such impact. Both AEs and PAs were assessed through a network resilience criticality index adapted to WDNs. The results were compared with those obtained from normal operating conditions with respect to the satisfaction rate of nodal demands. The proposal was evaluated by two case studies. The first corresponded to a small synthetic network and the second to a medium-size utility network. After a pipe burst event analysis, two different isolation actions were scrutinized in each of the two WDNs. The results quantify system resilience and support water utility managers in further decision-making processes. This is done through critical resilience indicators that provide information and support for better crisis preparedness (planning) and management (mitigation).