scholarly journals Editorial: Towards improved real-time management of urban water systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-624
Author(s):  
Zoran Kapelan
Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2597
Author(s):  
Engelbert Schramm ◽  
Björn Ebert ◽  
Bingxiang Wang ◽  
Martina Winker ◽  
Martin Zimmermann

This article examines the causes and addresses the prevention of unintended interconnections, particularly cross-connections, in novel urban water systems using the example of Qingdao, where a Resource Recovery Centre for the reuse of greywater and blackwater has been established for 12,000 inhabitants. With respect to cross-connections, this work incorporated both social-scientific and technical error analyses. The social-scientific error analysis systematically focused on the planning, implementation, and operational phases of the project. Organisational shortcomings were identified in four areas: (A) Coordination and consensus between the commissioned design institutes, (B) information in tenders, expertise, and awareness, (C) ownership by investors, and (D) time management. Based on empirical evidence, this article derives and discusses (eight) recommendations for good management, integrating technical and organisational measures aimed at preventing cross-connections. The pursuit of such measures is appropriate in order to prevent most types of misconnections—not just for the case under discussion, but for other novel urban water systems as well.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Agnethe N. Pedersen ◽  
Morten Borup ◽  
Annette Brink-Kjær ◽  
Lasse E. Christiansen ◽  
Peter S. Mikkelsen

In this paper, we review the emerging concept of digital twins (DTs) for urban water systems (UWS) based on the literature, stakeholder interviews and analyzing the current DT implementation process in the utility company VCS Denmark (VCS). Here, DTs for UWS are placed in the context of DTs at the component, unit process/operation or hydraulic structure, treatment plant, system, city, and societal levels. A UWS DT is characterized as a systematic virtual representation of the elements and dynamics of the physical system, organized in a star-structure with a set of features connected by data links that are based on standards for open data. This allows the overall functionality to be broken down into smaller, tangible units (features), enabling microservices that communicate via data links to emerge (the most central feature), facilitated by application programing interfaces (APIs). Coupled to the physical system, simulation models and advanced analytics are among the most important features. We propose distinguishing between living and prototyping DTs, where the term “living” refers to coupling observations from an ever-changing physical twin (which may change with, e.g., urban growth) with a simulation model, through a data link connecting the two. A living DT is thus a near real-time representation of an UWS and can be used for operational and control purposes. A prototyping DT represents a scenario for the system without direct coupling to real-time observations, which can be used for design or planning. By acknowledging that different DTs exist, it is possible to identify the value-creation from DTs achieved by different end-users inside and outside a utility organization. Analyzing the DT workflow in VCS shows that a DT must be multifunctional, updateable, and adjustable to support potential value creation across the utility company. This study helps clarify key DT terminology for UWS and identifies steps to create a DT by building upon digital ecosystems (DEs) and open standards for data.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Offiong N. M ◽  
◽  
Abdullahi S. A ◽  
Chile-Agada, B. U. N ◽  
Raji-Lawal H. Y ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Deines ◽  
R. Sekar ◽  
H. S. Jensen ◽  
S. Tait ◽  
J. B. Boxall ◽  
...  

Abstract. Microbiology in Urban Water Systems (MUWS) is an integrated project, which aims to characterize the microorganisms found in both potable water distribution systems and sewer networks. These large infrastructure systems have a major impact on our quality of life, and despite the importance of these systems as major components of the water cycle, little is known about their microbial ecology. Potable water distribution systems and sewer networks are both large, highly interconnected, dynamic, subject to time and varying inputs and demands, and difficult to control. Their performance also faces increasing loading due to increasing urbanization and longer-term environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the link between microbial ecology and any potential impacts on short or long-term engineering performance within urban water infrastructure systems is important. By combining the strengths and research expertise of civil-, biochemical engineers and molecular microbial ecologists, we ultimately aim to link microbial community abundance, diversity and function to physical and engineering variables so that novel insights into the performance and management of both water distribution systems and sewer networks can be explored. By presenting the details and principals behind the molecular microbiological techniques that we use, this paper demonstrates the potential of an integrated approach to better understand how urban water system function, and so meet future challenges.


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