A methodology to simulate peak water demand for water supply systems using semi-direct methods: A case study for a residential building in Mexico

Abstract

Historically, approaches for determining peak water demand in buildings have been based on probabilistic methods. Extensive research has shown that these methods lack accuracy because of the human factor in the probability of use. Inaccuracy in the calculation of peak water demand is the main cause of oversized water supply systems in buildings. This has led to unfavorable effects such as: 1) increasing the building carbon footprint due to the use of more construction materials, and 2) engendering health hazards due to the stagnation of water causing microbial growing. This paper presents a step-by-step methodology that serves to calculate the peak water demand by simulating the use of plumbing fixtures based on data obtained from standardized flowrate. With the implementation of the methodology, the peak water demand estimated was 2.6 times lower in comparison to traditional methods. The main conclusion drawn from the research is the potential of the methodology to easily simulated peak water demand in residential buildings in the short term. Thus, it reveals a hotspot for peak water demand calculation and can serve as routes for future research.