Booster system design using mixed-integer quadratic programming

A mixed-integer quadratic programming problem is proposed to locate booster stations and to identify their dosage schedules for maintaining disinfectant residual in drinking water distribution systems. Optimal booster locations and disinfectant injections are found by minimizing the second moment of the system residual spatiotemporal distribution. Application of the method to an example network studies the trade-off between booster station number and system water quality improvements. As disinfectant is reallocated in the network by an increasing number of well-placed stations, residual spatial and temporal variability is decreased as much as 30 times smaller compared to a single source. Thus greater flexibility in booster system operation leads to more efficient maintenance of residuals at points of water consumption.