A Decision-Support Algorithm for Post-Earthquake Water Services Recovery and Its Application to the 22 February 2011 Mw6.2 Christchurch Earthquake

Abstract

As the cost of lifeline disruption rises with the size and complexity of urban communities, increasing efforts are put into enhancing infrastructure resilience to natural disasters. Aiming to improve the understanding of water supply network seismic resilience, this paper examines in detail the initial performance and restoration of the water supply network following the 22 February 2011 Mw6.2 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake. In addition, a method to optimize the recovery of such systems is developed in two phases: the prioritization of pipe inspection and prioritization of pipe repairs. The results inferred from the observed pipe repairs suggest that the recovery was carried out efficiently; however, applying the proposed methodology would have substantially improved the recovery of the system with a 30% reduction in the number of buildings deprived of water in the first two days. Assumptions and limitations of the modeling are also discussed and practical solutions given to apply this framework in real-time for post-earthquake restoration.