Maximizing entropy defined reliability of water distribution networks

A new measure is proposed for assessing reliability in water distribution networks. The measure used fundamental entropy theory and is based upon the consideration that redundancy and reliability of networks are highly inter-related. The measure is formulated in such a way that it is easily incorporated into optimization design models for water distribution networks. Optimization design models incorporating the measure are able to design both the layout and component sizes for a network. Evaluation, by the traditional network reliability measure, Nodal Pair Reliability, of network designs developed by network design models incorporating the measure showed the measure to be capable of identifying reliable networks. Furthermore, the changes in the value of the entropic redundancy measure with different network designs closely matched the changes in the Nodal Pair Reliability for those networks. As yet there is no comprehensive information on what a particular level of the entropy measure means in terms of reliability for a particular network. As such it is still quantitative rather than qualitative. The incorporation of the measure into an optimization formulation does, however, represent a first step to direct consideration of reliability in network optimization.