To formulate alternative specifications for the design and control of water supply systems in developing countries where intermittent supplies are unavoidable for the foreseeable future.

This will include:

1. A modified network analysis simulation program suitable for simulating conditions of water shortage. Modifications required to the analysis procedure include the development of pressure dependent demand (PDD) functions to describe demand.

2. An optimal design procedure with the following alternative design objectives:

A three-year programme is currently underway:

Modifications to network analysis

To develop PDD functions for varying duration's of supply and pressure conditions a field study is currently being performed. This involves studying the demand behaviour in different networks in South India. The results of the field study will form the basis of the development of PDD functions.

Design/control strategies to provide equitable supply at least cost

The design of water distribution systems involve the determination of the sizes of the components in the distribution system. This study will develop techniques to facilitate the design of intermittent systems at the least cost, while maintaining adequate pressures throughout the system. The design of intermittent distribution systems will be for a specified design horizon. Prior to the design horizon being realised, control measures are required to minimise the inequities in the distribution of the limited quantity of water. This study will develop techniques to establish the optimum locations and settings of flow reduction valves, introduced to ensure a more equitable distribution of water throughout the network.

Acceptability of alternative types of supply and service levels To ensure the social acceptability of alternative types of supply and service levels to both the professionals and water consumers, interviews with both groups will be conducted by social scientists. Qualitative methods (focus group discussions and in-depth interviews) have been held with different sectors of the community in order to gauge their reactions to proposed changes

To date, the field studies have been completed. Detailed designs were prepared for area studied (for the DFID-UPO as part of there on-going poverty alleviation work in Kerala), using the new models and techniques being developed as part of this project. The designs (for the water distribution system in the area Fort-Kochi/Mattancherry), have been accepted by those concerned for implementation in the near future (next few months).

Professor T. Harpham
Faculty of the Built Environment
South Bank University
London SW8 2JZ

Professor K. Elango
Head of the Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology
Madras 600036, India

Mrs Krishna Veni
Managing Director
Kerala Water Authority
Water Works Campus
Thiruvananthapuram 695033, India

Tel: +44 (0) 171 815 7382
Fax: +44 (0) 171 815 7379
Email: vairavk@sbu.ac.uk