Impact of Urban Form on Energy Use in Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

The paper explores the connection between the urban form of water distribution networks and their energy use. Urban form corresponds to the network pipe configuration and the spatial distribution of water users. An analytical model is developed to quantify the energy use to fabricate pipes, to repair pipes, to pump water, and to dispose of pipes in a trunk line. Results show that only a 10% reduction in annual per capita energy is achieved in the trunk line by increasing population density from 10 ca∕ha to 275 ca∕ha . The analysis is extended by computing energy use in networks with gridiron, radial, and satellite pipe configurations and uniform, monocentric, and polycentric population distributions. On average, the radial/monocentric combination exhibits the lowest annual per capita energy use. The paper is concluded by discussing changes to the form of cities and water main infrastructure to reduce environmental impact.