Approccio integrato alla gestione strategica delle reti idriche per l’ottimizzazione delle performance di sistema

Abstract

Strategic integrated approach for hydraulic network management and optimization of performance system Water plays a significant role in the twin transition towards a greener and digital European society. Water scarcity is an increasingly frequent and worrying phenomenon that affects at least 11% of the European population and 17% of EU territory. It is estimated that some 20-40% of Europe’s available water is being wasted (leakages in the supply system, no water saving technologies installed, too much unnecessary irrigation, dripping taps etc.). The main goal of this PhD thesis is to develop an integrated methodology improving the efficiency of the drinking water service through the reduction of network losses and the decrease of maintenance interventions. The proposed model, with a strong application approach, considers specifically the infrastructural assets and the efficiency criteria indicated by ARERA (i.e. the Italian Organism of Regulation of the Water Supply), in coherence with the various hierarchical plans such as the “Management Plan of Water” introduced by the European Directive 2000/60/CE and allows a quick follow up of system to identify the best solution for maximizing performance indexes. The methodological path, structured in several distinct and consequential phases, foresees the actual investigation of the physical and operating conditions of the hydraulic assets: an in-depth knowledge of the system is essential to analyse the service and improve its quality, to make more informed decisions in real-time and to direct investments towards concrete and effective priorities. This approach, thanks to the use of decision-making process with predictive and prescriptive algorithms, is useful for accurately planning interventions even in the medium-term long term and to optimize the maintenance activity based on the reconnaissance analysis of the actual state of the networks rather than the theoretical useful life. The tool built in this research activity allows the achievement of the general objectives of the European legislation on water, of the national regulation of the sector and - indirectly - of adaptation to climate change: it is based on international asset management best practices so it helps to identify specific processes for effective management of water networks in terms of intervention planning, monitoring and system control. Below are summarized in simple "operative guidelines", the thesis outcomes useful for evaluating the water system and the possible choices to adopt to improve its management and operational performance1. Overview of the reference regulatory framework with the combined reading of various regulatory acts of both a sectoral (concerning water services) and general nature, with particular reference to the regulation on local public services, public procurement, corporate shareholdings of public administrations; 2. Investigation on the regulatory framework of the IWS that takes into account the stratification and complexity of multilevel governance; 3. Insights on the construction, technological and maintenance aspects of the main assets of an aqueduct system;: 4. Adequate monitoring of functional parameters and careful analysis of network behaviour through: 4.1 Construction of multi-parametric indices starting from the aggregation of simple data processed in statistically significant period and compared to a homogeneous reference area (Macro - ARERA indicators (M1 and M2) - KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)); .2 Hydraulic modelling and definition of significant parameters for the implementation of technical and management choices to optimize the service: Districtualisation; Positioning of pressure reducing valves; Planning of reduction activities and active control of losses; Identification of network sections to be rehabilitated or replaced ollowing these four steps, immediately applicable, it is possible to increase the performances, in terms of efficiency and economy, of water service both in the "ordinary management" and in more wide-ranging strategic projects. The research activity carried out allowed to build a simple, flexible but at the same time objective and scalable tool for the evaluation and control of network anomalies as well as having identified the significant parameters that affect the main issues of the service (network losses and interruptions in supply water).