Hydraulic modeling and prediction of performance for a drinking water supply system towards the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs): A system case study from Uganda

Abstract

The world is currently confronted with water scarcity which is associated with deteriorating public sanitation and health, pollution, and ecosystem damage. Maintaining the performance of water supply schemes during a long-term demographic transition would achieve sustainability. This study employs a hydraulic modeling tool to predict the future performance of a water supply system, Najjembe Town water supply scheme, Uganda. Results showed that the flow velocity in the network ranges from 0.01 to 2.36 m/s. The pipeline velocities in the network are generally low under the predicated scenario, and pipes never run full. Flow velocities in some areas are below the recommended minimum velocity (0.6 m/s). The negative pressures were observed in some areas of the network due to high nodal water demand. The proposed hydraulic infrastructural changes improved the global technical performance indexes for pressure (TPIP) and velocity (TPIV) to 89.9–99.3% and 80.9–99.5%, respectively. The implementation of the water supply management plan complied with several sustainable development goals (SDGs) interlinked to targets regarding the provision of clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), supporting agricultural practices to achieve zero hunger (SDG 2), promoting good human health and well-being (SDG 3), promoting gender equality (SDG 5), and economic growth (SDG 8). Defining the linkage between water supply management planning and SDGs would assist in the long-term planning of water infrastructural needs in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner, addressing anomalies in coverage and assisting water supply managers and policy-makers in the sector in making well-informed decisions.