Addis Ababa Institute of Technology

Modeling Water Distribution Systems

Final Examination
Instructions:

i. Exam is closed book

ii. Please attempt all questions
iii. Time allotted is 3 hrs.
iv. Use of scientific calculator allowed.

Question Number One

The following table details the diurnal variation of water demand as depicted by peaking factors across
the different hours of the day adopted for the design of the water distribution system for one of the
condominium sites of in Addis Ababa. Examine the hourly variation of the peaking factors for their
legitimacy, comment on the implications of the peaking factor selections on the components of the
distribution system and the efficiency of the system to deliver its intended purpose. (15%)

Time (hr) Peak Factor

00_011 0.3
01_02 0.3
02_03 0.3
03_04 0.3
04_05 0.3
05_06 0.7
06_07 1.1
07_08 1.9
08_09 1.7
09_10 1.5
10_11 1.5
11_12 1.4
12_13 1.4
13_14 1.3
14_15 1.2
15_16 1.5
16_17 1.5
17_18 1.5
18_19 1.3
19_20 1
20_21 0.7
21_22 0.5
22_23 0.4
23_24 0.3

1
00 – is mid night
Question Number Two

i. Briefly discuss on the efficiency of price and non- price demand management strategies as a
solution to bridge the water supply and demand gap in the city of Addis Ababa (12.5%).
ii. Critically examine the efficiency of different water hammer mitigating measures clearly
articulating the principles behind their operation and their potential areas of application in
water distribution systems (12.5%).

Question Number Three

i) Comment on the implication of the design assumptions on the following figure. Please
clearly examine the potential of this system to serve the city it is intended to serve in all
hours of the day (12.5%).

Source Treatment Reservoir

Plant

Transmission main Distribution system

Source to Treatment - maximum daily demand

Treatment to reservoir – average daily demand
Distribution main – average hourly demand

ii) In designing water supply systems, especially big cities, it appears that there is a paradoxical
relationship between designing the system for all kinds of water demands and water quality
issues. Explain! (7.5%)

Question Number Four

i) Discuss the concept of reliability in regards to water distribution systems. Reflect on design
and management measures for improving water supply system reliability (10%).
ii) Take a city of your individual design project and reflect on performance measure for the
water supply system and its management (10%).
Question Number Five

i) Given the data in the tables below, what is the average age of the water leaving junction
node J-4 shown in the figure? What is the flow rate through pipe P-4? What is the average
age of the water arriving at node J-5 through pipe P-4? (12%)

ii) Clearly point out the main building blocks in developing of asset management plan for a
utility (8%).