Water Conduits Research Articles

Investigation of a hybrid solar collector/nocturnal radiator for water heating/cooling in selected Nigerian cities

The present investigation presents a finite element analysis of the dynamic performance of a hybrid flat-plate solar collector/nocturnal radiator (SCONOR) for water heating and cooling in five Nigerian cities. Riser tubes for water conduit were welded to the SCONOR underneath and model equations were developed for heat transfer processes around the SCONOR-bond-tube-water region during the heating, cool down and nocturnal phases. Also, appropriate climatic models were developed to capture absorptions and emissions of energy from the sun and the sky during periods of solar heating and night sky cooling respectively. Results obtained showed that the maximum temperatures attained by the water during diurnal heating were 84.6 °C, 75.61 °C, 86.4 °C, 88.33 °C, and 93.67 °C while during the nocturnal cooling period, the minimum temperatures of water were 20.21 °C, 20.12 °C, 21.9 °C, 20.95 °C and 22.01 °C for Owerri, Portharcourt, Ikeja, Maiduguri and Sokoto respectively. The optimum bond thickness for best performance is 3.0 × 10−3 m at bond width of 0.26 m, tube spacing of 0.1 m and single polyethylene windscreen. For solar heating, Sokoto showed the best performance while for nocturnal cooling; Port Harcourt showed the best performance. Therefore, ambient energy possesses a great potential to ameliorate the energy security challenge and ensure a sustainably clean environment.

ENERGETICALLY OPTIMAL WORK OF WATER INTAKE STRUCTURES FROM UNDERGROUND SOURCES

ObjectivesPerfecting of the existing schemes of water delivery in the pure tank on a pressure piping and increase in efficiency of submersible pumps on water intaking constructions from underground sources. Discusses the negative manifestations in the operation of water intaking constructions from underground. In the mode of operation of each pump is influenced by external and internal characteristics of the system wells – submersible pump – common culvert – the clean water tank.MethodsMathematical model operation of management process of collaboration of system a water well – a prefabricated conduit with definite forms of boundary conditions. Schemes of an arrangement are shown of water wells and a prefabricated conduit.ResultsInterference of a duty of certain wells and a prefabricated conduit is studied, unstable work of submersible pumps is defined. The scheme of water delivery is presented to the pure tank on separate pressure pressure lines. To ensure the stability of the pumping equipment, the characteristics of the diameter of the water conduit (its hydraulic resistance) are determined depending on the total hydraulic resistance of the well equipment (well filter, pump, fittings) and the well pipeline. Monitoring of water intake structures allows you to set technical indicators for choosing an independent scheme, to choose the right equipment, taking into account the joint operation of the system borehole - submersible pump - collecting water conduit - RFI.ConclusionEnergetically optimal work of water intake structures with separate pressure lines, helps to reduce water losses, while achieving significant savings in electricity. The most favorable for the submersible pump is work on the clean water tank, and not on the prefabricated conduit.

OPTIMIZATION OF GROUND WATER CUTOFF WITH A SIPHON INTAKE FROM THE DRAIN WELLS (AS IN THE CASE OF KAMYANKA-DNIPROVSKA GROUND WATER CUT-OFF)

Relevance of research.To increase the efficiency and reliability of the territory protection against flooding with the infiltration water of the Kakhovsky Reservoir, it is proposed to replace the low-performance ground water cutoff with an airlift water intake system for the protection of the Kamensky Pod’s area with a groundwater cutoff with a siphon intake system from wells. That will enable to increasesignificantly the efficiency and reliability of the ground water cutoff and greatly reduce the specific costs of water pumping. The reliability of the ground water cutoff with a siphon intake system is achieved by ensuring the reliable sealing of the entire siphon collecting conduit. In case of a slightest damage, there is a loss of sealing of the pipes and the water stops flowing into a drain well.
 The purpose of the research. To determine the best parameters of ground water cutoff with a siphon intake system from the well, in particular: - the optimal number of wells, the distance between them; - estimated depths of each wells connected to the siphon collecting conduit; - estimated water flows from each well and the decrease in the static water table in them taking into account the hydro-geological interaction between them during their collaboration; - optimal pipe diameters on each section of the siphon collecting conduit to ensure the reliability of its operation.
 The research methods. The research involves the use of analytical and mathematical methods, in particular: calculations, iterations, forecasting.
 The research results. New approaches enabling to find an optimal variant of uniform water drawdown in the aquifer along the whole length of the siphon water conduit by reducing the depths of the intake wells towards the intake well. To optimize the ground water cutoff with the siphon intake system from the wells, it is proposed to drill drain wells of different depths and place them at different distances from each other along the entire length of the collecting conduit, determining the required depth of the well depending on its diameters and vacuum value.
 The conducted studies as in the case of calculating the Kamyanka-Dniprovskaground water cutoff showed that the minimum depth of drainage wells depends on the diameter of the well and the vacuum value in it, and the most efficient option of all possible ones is the option when there are drain wells with different depths and they are located at different distances from each other that provides a minimum specific cost for the construction of wells and siphon collecting water conduit.

Assessment of changes in the water quality along the length of the Siverskyi Donets river at the beginning of the 21st century

The relevance of the problem consists in the need to achieve a "good status" of water in the rivers of Ukraine according to the objectives of the Water Framework Directive. The aim of the work is to identify the main trends of water quality changes over time and along the length of Siverskyi Donets River based on data of the hydrochemical observations for the period from 1985 to 2015 inclusive. To establish the water quality we used integral assessments based on hydrochemical indicators such as pollution coefficient, water pollution index, generalized index of water state in accordance with the water quality standards for fishery. The article shows that use of mandatory (priority) chemical indicators in the calculations of the pollution coefficient and the water pollution index does not reflect a real degree of water pollution, since it does not take into account a significant amount of pollutants. It was discovered that major pollutants in the main river include suspended substances, chromium, nitrite nitrogen, phenols, sulfates. For the right-bank tributaries of Siversky Donets (illustrated by the example of the Kryvyi Torets River) originating from Donetsk Upland heavy metals (chromium, copper, zinc) pollution is typical. The degree of pollution based on the coefficient of pollution for average multi-year period is deemed as catastrophic, and based on the index of water pollution it is labelled with IV (contaminated) and V (very contaminated) quality classes indicating a violation of the ecosystem stability. Based on the generalized index, the water is also classified as "contaminated". The calculations based on various integral indicators of water quality revealed that pollution of the Siversky Donets River increases downstream. This is due to growing anthropogenic impact (municipal and industrial waters of large cities, discharge of mine and open pit waters into surface waterways, withdrawal of the runoff for its redirection to canals and water conduits, presence of diffuse sources of pollution by biogenic and organic substances). The beginning of the 21st century saw a trend towards improvement established in the chronological course of integral indicators of water quality which was associated with decrease production volumes. According to the generalized index of water state the water quality of the main river gradually changes from “contaminated” and “very contaminated” to “moderately contaminated”, but contamination by heavy metals, biogenic and organic substances remains high.

Controlled Drainage as a Targeted Mitigation Measure for Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Drainage systems provide a more or less direct conduit for excess water and nutrients from fields to surface water. High nutrient loads to streams and lakes are known to adversely affect water quality and may potentially cause algae blooms. Therefore, in-field as well as edge-of-field mitigation measures that can assist in reducing the loss of nutrients are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and possibility of using controlled drainage during the drainage season to reduce nutrient losses while growing a winter crop in a temperate climate. The 3-yr-long (2012-2015) study was conducted on four experimental field plots on loamy soil. The impacts of controlled drainage on groundwater levels, drain flow, and water quality at regulation levels of 50 and 70 cm above the conventional drain pipe level were determined by using a before-after control-impact study design. A regulation level of 70 cm was required to significantly elevate groundwater levels and reduce the drain outflow and N and P loss, which decreased by 37 to 54%, 38 to 51%, and 43 to 46%, respectively, relative to conventional drainage levels. Denitrification in the root zone, as measured with stable isotopes, was not markedly enhanced at the plots with controlled drainage, except on a few occasions. Resetting the groundwater level to conventional levels in early spring only had a marginal influence on water and nutrient losses. Thus, potential water quality tradeoffs (e.g., increased N loss to groundwater) need to be more thoroughly investigated before implementing controlled drainage as a mitigation measure in Denmark.

Interpretation of pipe-jacking and lubrication records for drives in silty soil

In recent years, there has been an increased resort to microtunnelling/pipe-jacking as a means of constructing underground conduits (for water, sewage, gas, and other utilities) to avoid on-street disruption in urban areas. In this paper, technical details of two 1 200 mm internal diameter microtunnels in silty sand totalling over 550 m in length are discussed. While average skin friction values are extremely low for both drives suggesting effective lubrication practice, differences in normalised bentonite volumes appear to be responsible for differences in skin friction. Full or near full buoyancy of the pipeline has been demonstrated for the majority of the drive. The frictional stress increase after a stoppage is shown to depend on not only the stoppage duration but also on the normalised lubrication volume. Interpretation of data in the manner presented in the paper is an important means of assimilating experience of microtunnelling in different ground conditions.

Surface fluids in the evolving Sevier fold–thrust belt of ID–WY indicated by hydrogen isotopes in dated, authigenic clay minerals

Hydrogen isotopic composition (δD) and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data of neomineralized clay minerals from fault rocks and cleavage seams in the Sevier belt record primary involvement of surface-sourced fluids during Cretaceous–Paleogene mountain building events. δD values of authigenic clays range from −78.8±1.7‰ to −97.2±3.2‰. Given temperature constraints of mineral formation, we calculate δD values of mineralizing fluids as ∼−63 to −96‰, which fall within the range of δD values of Cretaceous–Paleogene surface waters in the region. The potential infiltration and presence of surface fluids at depths of several kilometers during deformation implies that pore spaces and fractures acted as conduits for surface water. Uplift of thrust sheets generated topography that favored meteoric recharge and flow of fluids into margins of the foreland basin, which were subsequently incorporated into the propagating thrust wedge. This is in contrast to the hypothesis that the release of overpressured metamorphic fluids dominates during fold–thrust belt evolution. As a result of shortening and tectonic uplift, fluid flows through basin sediments toward the foreland basin as meteoric waters recharge sediments at the basin margins. This study shows that stable isotopic compositions of shallow, deformation-related clay minerals are robust and may be used alongside other surface fluid proxies to probe the origin and composition of ancient fluids in orogenic systems.

О ПУЛЬСАЦИИ ДАВЛЕНИЯ ЖИДКОСТИ В ВОДОПРОВОДЯЩИХ ТРАКТАХ САЯНО-ШУШЕНСКОЙ ГЭС

The results of the analysis of oscillations of the structural elements of the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP, caused by the influence of fluid pressure pulsations in water conduits, are presented. The connection between changes in the level of these fluctuations and loads of operation of hydraulic units is set. The load ranges of hydraulic units, leading to the formation of a vortex beam under the impeller of the hydraulic unit in the suction chamber and to resonant effects in the body of the dam are shown.

Microbial biosurfactants for oil spill remediation: pitfalls and potentials.

Spillage of fossil-based oils during their conveyance through water conduits are sporadic, but significant environmental disasters. As the viscous hydrocarbons of the crude oils spread on water surface and choke aquatic life to death, their effective degradation is crucial for ecological balance. Though chemical and mechanical means are conventional ways to tackle the issues, they are riddled with limitations. In this scenario, coercing the biosurfactant-producing bacteria and fungi are promising avenues. Biosurfactants, the amphiphilic compounds, are capable of reducing interfacial tension, dispersing the oil particles, and degrading theminto non-toxic debris. Among the vast array of biosurfactants, the trio of rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, and surfactin have been characterized well. Among the microbes, only Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Candida have been evaluated, while there can be other exploitable candidates. In this regard, this review discusses the scopes and hurdles in utilization of the microbial surface-active compounds for oil spill management.

Transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a highly vulnerable karst underground river system of southwest China.

The concentration and fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in a karst underground river system in southwest China. Groundwater, particles, and sediments from underground river, topsoil, and surface water were monitored, allowing establishment of a conceptual model of PAH transport at the watershed scale. The results showed that PAHs could be transported from the surface to the subsurface through two migration pathways, which were slow-flowing water in the karst fissure and fast-flowing water in conduits. During rainfall events, increasing PAH levels (concentrations and fluxes) at the underground river exit indicated that hydrodynamic force could facilitate PAH transport. The PAHs in water were dominated by dissolved PAHs, accounting for 58.7% of total, especially in the freely dissolved phase, in which SPM-associated PAHs accounted for 41.3% of the total PAHs. Low molecular weight PAHs dominated transport and were mainly transported in dissolved form, whereas high molecular weight PAHs were dominated by SPM-associated transport during the rainfall events. A significantly positive correlation was observed between two-ring and three-ring freely dissolved PAHs and dissolved organic carbon (p < 0.01), respectively. Moreover, PAHs with four to five rings were relatively more abundant in the dissolved organic matter (DOM) associated phase than in the freely dissolved phase, suggesting a major role of DOM in their transport during rainfall events. The trend of PAH fluxes suggested that particle-facilitated transport was another dominant cause of PAH mobilization.

PROBLEMS OF GEOECOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF RATIONAL NON-USE OF USE AND THE WAY OF THEIR SOLUTION

All manifestations of technogenic changes in the depths in the search, exploration and development of oil fields can be very diverse and lead to many not always predictable consequences. The urgency of the task of integrated use and protection of mineral resources requires increased attention both to ensuring control over the implementation of environmental protection measures and for technologies that reduce the technogenic impact on it. The article considers the modern technology of water injection to maintain reservoir pressure in several layers at the same time with a single well, which increases the technological culture of field development, which positively affects the state of the subsoil and the environment. This technology is aimed at reducing capital expenditures for the development of a system for maintaining reservoir pressure, the need to control and regulate the volume of water pumping through individual layers of the exploited facility. Introducing simultaneous-separate injection, it is possible to reduce the number of land-based water conduits, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the man-made load on the environment, ensuring environmental safety.

ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF LAKE MALOE LEBYAZHYE (KAZAN, RUSSIA), BASED ON ZOOPLANKTON, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ECO-REHABILITATION

The work is devoted to the study of zooplankton community structure of Lake Maloe Lebyazhye (Kazan, Russia). Previously, Lake Lebyazhye consisted of 4 lakes, connected by ducts. Over the past decades, there has been a significant reduction in the area of lake, and only the Maloe Lebyazhye has remained. Other lakes of this system dried up. Methods: In 2017, measures were taken to restore the lakes of Bolshoe and Svetloe Lebyazhye: They were deepened to 3 m; the bottom was insulated with bentonitic mats. In October 2017, the lakes were filled with water. For the implementation of water supply, the pressure water conduit was restored to supply water from the nearby Lake Izumrudnoe. The study of the zooplankton community of Lake Maloe Lebyazhye is relevant and necessary to identify changes, occurring after the completion of measures for eco-rehabilitation. Results and Discussion: The article presents the results of studies of the zooplankton community of Lake Maloe Lebyazhye, performed during the growing periods of 2015–2017. In the course of the research, current species composition of zooplankton was revealed, the abundance and biomass were estimated, and the biotic indices were calculated. Conclusions: It is revealed that the zooplankton of the lake is represented by 64 species. The mean values of the abundance and biomass of zooplankton are relatively low and are in the range of values, corresponding to the oligotrophic type of water body.

Physical Properties of Urban Soils in Rostov Agglomeration

Transformation of particle-size composition, structure, and density of soils upon urbopedogenesis is considered for Rostov agglomeration. Various soils are compared by horizons. It is found that the share of sand fractions increases in upper and middle horizons of migration–segregation chernozems (Calcic Chernozem (Hyperhumic, Loamic)), above all, at the expense of particles of 0.05—0.001 mm in size; with the coarse medium sand fraction 1–0.25 mm being diagnostic for urbopedogenesis. The reason is the introduction of sandy particles upon urban construction, arranging water conduits and other utility lines, as well as the use of icing-control sandy mixtures. The Dolgov-Bakhtin schedule appears to be the most appropriate for assessing the structure of urban soils. Dry sieving testified to the decreasing amount of agriculturally valuable aggregates in all compared pairs of horizons in the sequence of urban soils: under forest vegetation → under steppe vegetation → in the buried massif of urbosoils. The water stability of aggregates decreases in the sequence: soils under steppe vegetation → buried horizons of urbosoils → soils under forest vegetation. The following sequence of urbic horizons (UR and RAT) shows a decrease in the share of agriculturally valuable fractions and an increase in their water stability: heavy-textured UR → light-textured UR → RAT. The density of natural soils varies insignificantly within the city territory, with its urbostratified soils (Calcic Chernozem Novic (Technic Loamic) in residential areas often manifesting the maximal density.

Effects of Foliar Redox Status on Leaf Vascular Organization Suggest Avenues for Cooptimization of Photosynthesis and Heat Tolerance

The interaction of heat stress with internal signaling networks was investigated through Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that were deficient in either tocopherols (vte1 mutant) or non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ; npq1, npq4, and npq1 npq4 mutants). Leaves of both vte1 and npq1 npq4 mutants that developed at a high temperature exhibited a significantly different leaf vascular organization compared to wild-type Col-0. Both mutants had significantly smaller water conduits (tracheary elements) of the xylem, but the total apparent foliar water-transport capacity and intrinsic photosynthetic capacity were similarly high in mutants and wild-type Col-0. This was accomplished through a combination of more numerous (albeit narrower) water conduits per vein, and a significantly greater vein density in both mutants relative to wild-type Col-0. The similarity of the phenotypes of tocopherol-deficient and NPQ-deficient mutants suggests that leaf vasculature organization is modulated by the foliar redox state. These results are evaluated in the context of interactions between redox-signaling pathways and other key regulators of plant acclimation to growth temperature, such as the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) transcription factors, several of which were upregulated in the antioxidant-deficient mutants. Possibilities for the future manipulation of the interaction between CBF and redox-signaling networks for the purpose of cooptimizing plant productivity and plant tolerance to extreme temperatures are discussed.

Warming of the interior Arctic Ocean linked to sea ice losses at the basin margins.

Arctic Ocean measurements reveal a near doubling of ocean heat content relative to the freezing temperature in the Beaufort Gyre halocline over the past three decades (1987-2017). This warming is linked to anomalous solar heating of surface waters in the northern Chukchi Sea, a main entryway for halocline waters to join the interior Beaufort Gyre. Summer solar heat absorption by the surface waters has increased fivefold over the same time period, chiefly because of reduced sea ice coverage. It is shown that the solar heating, considered together with subduction rates of surface water in this region, is sufficient to account for the observed halocline warming. Heat absorption at the basin margins and its subsequent accumulation in the ocean interior, therefore, have consequences for Beaufort Gyre sea ice beyond the summer season.

Dynamic variation characteristics of water chemistries and isotopes in a typical karst aquiferous system and their implications for the local karst water cycle, Southwest China

The paper chose a typical karst aquiferous system in southwest China to study karst water cycle process to help the sustainable development and utilization of karst water resources. Different water bodies’ water chemistries and isotopes’ characteristics and their implications are analyzed based on the conceptions of transformations among “precipitation, vadose zone water flow, karst conduit water flow, and surface water flow” and the “recharge, runoff, and drainage”. Hydrological information can be obtained by analyzing water chemistries, δD and δ18O values, deuterium excess values, regression equations, influencing factors of all water bodies and precipitation in rainy season and dry season. Topography, geomorphology, and developed characteristics of karst areas affect circulation process of karst water resource, water chemistries and isotopes along the main conduit having a great fluctuation affected by changes of water dynamic conditions. Ca2+ and HCO3− are the main cation and anion in the karst aquiferous system, concentrations of Cl− and NO3− respond to the influence of human activities significantly, the dilution affection of precipitation recharging groundwater on the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ is biggest, and affection of human activities on water bodies in rainy season is higher than dry season. δD and δ18O values have the increasing trend along the underground river flow path for the water–rock interaction; d values are higher and have more obvious fluctuating status along the main flow path in dry season for the long non-successive residence time. δD, δ18O and d values’ dynamic variation characteristics of cave drip water, epikarst springs, karst conduit water, and surface water in different seasons are mainly affected by recharging sources and evapotranspiration, the hydrological environment and fractionation, the developed location and evaporation, condensation and evaporation, respectively. Dynamic variation characteristics of water chemistries, isotopes, d values and their implications in the karst water cycle can help decision makers to take effective measures to protect and utilize karst water resources.

Energy efficiency of functioning of water reservoir wells and collecting conduit

Maintaining the stable operational mode of groundwater intakes and increasing their operation period is an urgent task of urban water pipelines operating. The problem of the water supply to consumers can be solved in the process of managing the operation modes of water intakes. We consider the negative developments in the functioning of groundwater intakes.The purpose of this research is to improve the existing schemes of water supply in Pure Water Reservoir through pressure pipelines of groundwater abstraction and increase the productivity of submersible pumps. Inside the wells various pumps can be installed, characterized by the pressure and performance. Submersible pumps at nominal flow supply have maximum efficiency, so the most favorable for the pump is work to a tank of clean water. The layout of wells and common culvert is shown.Monitoring of water intakes allows setting technical parameters for selecting an independent scheme, choosing the right equipment, taking into account the joint operation of the well system - submersible pump - prefabricated water conduit - Pure Water Reservoir. Based on the results of theoretical and practical studies, a mathematical model of the energy efficiency of the system operation is proposed: a water well - Submersible Pump - collecting conduit. Reviewed the mutual influence of the operating mode of individual wells and precast culvert under various schemes of connection of pressure. Most preferred is a diagram of feed water in the basin with clean water by a separate pressure lines, in this scheme ruled out mutual influence of the operating mode of individual wells.Energy-efficient operation of the water intake with separate pressure lines must be assessed by comparing the total energy consumption in the system.

The crystal structure of P450-TT heme-domain provides the first structural insights into the versatile class VII P450s

The first crystal structure of a class VII P450, CYP116B46 from Tepidiphilus thermophilus, has been solved at 1.9 Å resolution. The structure reveals overall conservation of the P450-fold and a water conduit around the I-helix. Active site residues have been identified and sequence comparisons have been made with other class VII enzymes. A structure similarity search demonstrated that the P450-TT structure is similar to enzymes capable of oxy-functionalization of fatty acids, terpenes, macrolides, steroids and statins. The insight gained from solving this structure will provide a guideline for future engineering and modelling studies on this catalytically promiscuous class of enzymes.

CALCULATION OF INTERACTIVE MINING HOLES WITH THE PURPOSE OF OPTIMIZATION OF CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS AT BUILDING OF WATER INTAKES

Water intake facilities are an integral part of the construction industry. The choice of the water intake scheme, its operational characteristics, depend on the capital costs for the construction of the water intake, as well as the creation of better conditions for the operation of equipment and networks. The cost of these facilities is very high. Therefore, when designing them, it is necessary to choose the optimal design scheme and operating modes during the design life. Operational experience has shown that in order to ensure the most optimal conditions of water intake from an underground source, it is desirable to have a well in one line. In the calculations, the influence of wells on each other is taken into account as in group work, if the distance between them is less than two influence radii. This arrangement of wells allows to reduce the area and capital costs for the construction of water intake, as well as to create the best conditions for the operation of equipment and networks. The calculation of the group of interacting wells is to find the number of tubular wells, the distance between them, flow and levels (static and dynamic). When determining the operation modes of the combined water conduit, it is necessary to take into account the joint operation of clean water tanks and tubular wells. The diameter of the collecting water pipe must be increased, with an increase in the number of wells to be connected, and therefore an increase in the flow rate. The linear scheme of connection of wells on water intake from an underground source of water supply is the most common in the practice of construction and operation of groundwater water intakes, when wells are used as water intake devices and it is necessary to improve the quality of the water extracted from the aquifer before supplying it to the consumer. On water intakes containing a large number of wells located along the river at a certain distance from it, the calculations use a formula that allows the replacement of a real number of wells by a gallery at a rate of 1 m in length.

Forecasting failure rate of water pipes

Abstract This paper presents the results of failure rate prediction by means of support vector machines (SVM) – a non-parametric regression method. A hyperplane is used to divide the whole area in such a way that objects of different affiliation are separated from one another. The number of support vectors determines the complexity of the relations between dependent and independent variables. The calculations were performed using Statistical 12.0. Operational data for one selected zone of the water supply system for the period 2008–2014 were used for forecasting. The whole data set (in which data on distribution pipes were distinguished from those on house connections) for the years 2008–2014 was randomly divided into two subsets: a training subset – 75% (5 years) and a testing subset – 25% (2 years). Dependent variables (λr for the distribution pipes and λp for the house connections) were forecast using independent variables (the total length – Lr and Lp and number of failures – Nr and Np of the distribution pipes and the house connections, respectively). Four kinds of kernel functions (linear, polynomial, sigmoidal and radial basis functions) were applied. The SVM model based on the linear kernel function was found to be optimal for predicting the failure rate of each kind of water conduit. This model's maximum relative error of predicting failure rates λr and λp during the testing stage amounted to about 4% and 14%, respectively. The average experimental failure rates in the whole analysed period amounted to 0.18, 0.44, 0.17 and 0.24 fail./(km·year) for the distribution pipes, the house connections and the distribution pipes made of respectively PVC and cast iron.