Analysis of the Structure of Water Demand with the Example of Selected Buildings

Urszula Kepa,Krystian Chudzik,Ewa Stanczyk-Mazanek,Longina Stepniak

doi:10.3390/w11081635

Abstract

The basis for the designing of water supply devices is knowledge of the distribution of water demand. The only practical tool that utility companies can use to measure water consumption is water meters. The literature part of the article compares the guidelines for the devices contained in the following directives: EEC (European Economic Community—withdrawn) and Measuring Instruments Directive—MID (applicable at present). The methodology of selecting water meters in accordance with previous and current regulations was also presented. The main purpose of this work was to determine the structure of water demand for selected building objects. Differences between real and literature values of water flows and water demand were determined. It was found that the average consumption in the analyzed buildings was higher then the consumption in Polish Regulation and in the town of Dabrowa Gornicza. The highest level of demand was in the buildings, which were equipped with automatic watering systems. The maximum momentary volumetric flows are also shown. Based on the obtained data, the accuracy of the water meters selection was checked. The calculated daily and hourly peak factors were compared with the values from the literature. The analysis was performed based on current legal acts, technical literature and data obtained from Dabrowskie Wodociagi Sp. z o.o. in Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland.

Highlights

The key issue in the design and operation of water supply networks and systems is to evaluate the volume of water supplied, which represents the basis for the calculation of such systems
Q—average daily water consumption per customer, Qdśr —average daily water demand per building, qmax —maximum momentary volumetric flow, Nd —daily peak factor, Nh —hourly peak factor and the maximum results haves been marked with a grey background
The analyzed buildings were characterized by a diversified demand for water per capita. From one hand this indicator was closer or lower for most of the buildings compared to those contained in the regulation of the Ministry of Infrastructure on average water consumption standards

Summary

Introduction

The key issue in the design and operation of water supply networks and systems is to evaluate the volume of water supplied, which represents the basis for the calculation of such systems. Water meters are mainly used as devices for measuring volumetric flow. There is no easy and effective method that would allow for correct measurements of the service connection. This is due to the following factors influencing the structure of water distribution: . Measurements of water consumption performed in order to enable settlements between water suppliers and consumers require the use of water meters.

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion