Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Domestic Water Consumption by Smart Water Network Data Filtering

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent containment policies have changed people’s habits, with numerous implications in all fields. The restrictions also had consequences on drinking water consumption. This work analyzes this influence in the Soccavo district of Naples (Campania), in Italy, during the two periods of the strongest restrictions: the national lockdown (11 March–3 May) and the autumn red zone (16 November–6 December) in 2020. Thanks to a smart water grid acquisition system, the analysis of a large amount of data measured in the years 2019 (considered the average reference year) and 2020 was carried out. Data of the same meters in the two consecutive years were preliminarily filtered by identification and elimination of anomalies and outliers, as well as of anomalous annual patterns, through clustering and classification. The comparison was performed for the two years considering the daily and weekly average hourly patterns; the average daily patterns of midweek days, Saturdays, and Sundays, respectively; and the total daily volumes. The results showed a general increase in residential water consumption and a modification in usage patterns as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic containment measures.